V

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.

“

“God gave us the gift of life it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.”

— Voltaire

Birthday

All Quotes by Voltaire

“All styles are good except the tiresome kind.”

— Voltaire

Good

“The best is the enemy of the good.”

— Voltaire

Best

“It is forbidden to kill therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.”

— Voltaire

War

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

— Voltaire

Experience

“All the reasonings of men are not worth one sentiment of women.”

— Voltaire

Men

“The flowery style is not unsuitable to public speeches or addresses, which amount only to compliment. The lighter beauties are in their place when there is nothing more solid to say but the flowery style ought to be banished from a pleading, a sermon, or a didactic work.”

— Voltaire

Work

“Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us.”

— Voltaire

Life

“What most persons consider as virtue, after the age of 40 is simply a loss of energy.”

— Voltaire

Age

“Nature has always had more force than education.”

— Voltaire

Education

“We are all full of weakness and errors let us mutually pardon each other our follies - it is the first law of nature.”

— Voltaire

Nature

“When it is a question of money, everybody is of the same religion.”

— Voltaire

Money

“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.”

— Voltaire

Death

“The infinitely little have a pride infinitely great.”

— Voltaire

Great

“God is a comedian, playing to an audience too afraid to laugh.”

— Voltaire

God

“To hold a pen is to be at war.”

— Voltaire

War

“Tears are the silent language of grief.”

— Voltaire

Sympathy

“Stand upright, speak thy thoughts, declare The truth thou hast, that all may share Be bold, proclaim it everywhere: They only live who dare.”

— Voltaire

Truth

“It is not known precisely where angels dwell whether in the air, the void, or the planets. It has not been God's pleasure that we should be informed of their abode.”

— Voltaire

God

“Friendship is the marriage of the soul, and this marriage is liable to divorce.”

— Voltaire

Friendship

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

— Voltaire

History