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Voltaire

92 quotes

Voltaire (1694–1778) was the pen name of François-Marie Arouet, a French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher famous for his wit, advocacy of civil liberties, and criticism of established religion and institutions. His satirical novel *Candide* remains one of the most widely read works of French literature.

“The safest course is to do nothing against one's conscience. With this secret, we can enjoy life and have no fear from death.”

— Voltaire

Death

All Quotes by Voltaire

“It is lamentable, that to be a good patriot one must become the enemy of the rest of mankind.”

— Voltaire

Good

“Divorce is probably of nearly the same date as marriage. I believe, however, that marriage is some weeks the more ancient.”

— Voltaire

Marriage

“All men are born with a nose and ten fingers, but no one was born with a knowledge of God.”

— Voltaire

God

“Is there anyone so wise as to learn by the experience of others?”

— Voltaire

Experience

“One great use of words is to hide our thoughts.”

— Voltaire

Great

“We are rarely proud when we are alone.”

— Voltaire

Alone

“History is only the register of crimes and misfortunes.”

— Voltaire

History

“The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.”

— Voltaire

Art

“I am very fond of truth, but not at all of martyrdom.”

— Voltaire

Truth

“The little may contrast with the great, in painting, but cannot be said to be contrary to it. Oppositions of colors contrast but there are also colors contrary to each other, that is, which produce an ill effect because they shock the eye when brought very near it.”

— Voltaire

Great

“Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do.”

— Voltaire

Good

“If there were no God, it would be necessary to invent him.”

— Voltaire

God

“God is not on the side of the big battalions, but on the side of those who shoot best.”

— Voltaire

Best

“I hate women because they always know where things are.”

— Voltaire

Women

“Nothing can be more contrary to religion and the clergy than reason and common sense.”

— Voltaire

Religion

“He who has not the spirit of this age, has all the misery of it.”

— Voltaire

Age

“Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her: but once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game.”

— Voltaire

Alone

“The infinitely little have a pride infinitely great.”

— Voltaire

Great

“Of all religions, the Christian should of course inspire the most tolerance, but until now Christians have been the most intolerant of all men.”

— Voltaire

Men

“Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by imagination.”

— Voltaire

Imagination