109+ Voltaire Quotes (French Philosopher)

Voltaire, whose real name was François-Marie Arouet, was an influential French Enlightenment writer, philosopher, and historian.

His writings and ideas have had a profound impact on Western thought and continue to be widely studied and quoted today.

Voltaire was known for his wit, satire, and keen observations of human nature.

Here are some key characteristics of Voltaire’s quotes:

• Wit and Humor: Voltaire’s quotes are often marked by his sharp wit and clever wordplay. He had a talent for using humor to criticize social and political institutions, religious dogma, and hypocrisy. His wit was used as a weapon to expose absurdities and challenge authority.
• Satire and Criticism: Voltaire was a master of satire, using it to criticize various aspects of society, including the monarchy, religious institutions, and intolerance. His quotes often satirize the powerful and highlight the follies and vices of his time.
• Rationality and Reason: Voltaire was a staunch advocate of reason and rationality. His quotes often promote critical thinking, intellectual inquiry, and the use of logic to challenge established beliefs and traditions. He championed the importance of reason in solving societal problems.
• Freedom of Thought and Expression: Voltaire strongly believed in freedom of thought, speech, and expression. Many of his quotes emphasize the importance of individual liberty and the right to express one’s ideas, even if they are unpopular or controversial.
• Tolerance and Enlightenment: Voltaire was a proponent of religious tolerance and the power of knowledge and education. His quotes often call for understanding, acceptance, and respect for different beliefs and cultures. He advocated for the spread of Enlightenment ideals and the eradication of ignorance and superstition.
• Humanism and Optimism: Voltaire had a humanistic outlook and a belief in the potential for human progress. His quotes often express a sense of optimism and faith in human reason and ingenuity. He encouraged individuals to take responsibility for their own lives and work towards creating a better society.

It’s important to note that while Voltaire’s quotes are often attributed to him, some of them may have been paraphrased or misattributed over time.

Nevertheless, his words continue to inspire and resonate with people seeking intellectual freedom, social justice, and a more enlightened world.

Voltaire Quotes

Here are some Voltaire quotes for your enjoyment:

1. “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
2. “Common sense is not so common.”
3. “Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.”
4. “Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.”
5. “Prejudices are what fools use for reason.”
6. “It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.”
7. “To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.”
8. “The secret of being boring is to say everything.”
9. “Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do.”
10. “Injustice in the end produces independence.”
11. “Superstition sets the whole world in flames; philosophy quenches them.”
12. “We must cultivate our own garden.”
13. “Love truth, but pardon error.”
14. “Optimism is the madness of insisting that all is well when we are miserable.”
15. “Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.”
16. “It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one.”
17. “The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing.”
18. “Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”
19. “The comfort of the rich depends upon an abundant supply of the poor.”
20. “If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.”
21. “The human brain is a complex organ with the wonderful power of enabling man to find reasons for continuing to believe whatever it is that he wants to believe.”
22. “It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere.”
23. “We are all full of weakness and errors; let us mutually pardon each other our follies.”
24. “Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too.”
25. “To hold a pen is to be at war.”
26. “The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.”
27. “I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: ‘O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.’ And God granted it.”
28. “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
29. “It is better to risk saving a few guilty persons than to condemn an innocent one.”
30. “If you wish to converse with me, define your terms.”
31. “In general, the art of government consists in taking as much money as possible from one class of citizens to give to the other.”
32. “Perfect is the enemy of good.”
33. “A witty saying proves nothing.”
34. “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”
35. “It is not enough to conquer; one must learn to seduce.”
36. “The more often a stupidity is repeated, the more it gets the appearance of wisdom.”
37. “Work saves us from three great evils: boredom, vice, and need.”
38. “One great use of words is to hide our thoughts.”
39. “The best is the enemy of the good.”
40. “It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.”
41. “We never live; we are always in the expectation of living.”
42. “The safest course is to do nothing against one’s conscience.”
43. “Men are equal; it is not birth but virtue that makes the difference.”
44. “Love truth, but pardon error.”
45. “To succeed in the world, we must be foolish in appearance but wise in reality.”
46. “The instruction we find in books is like fire. We fetch it from our neighbors, kindle it at home, communicate it to others, and it becomes the property of all.”
47. “Faith is believing what you know ain’t so.”
48. “Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do.”
49. “The more I see of the world, the more I am dissatisfied with it.”
50. “We are all full of weakness and errors; let us mutually pardon each other our follies.”
51. History is a pack of lies we play on the dead.
52. “God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh.”
53. “Tears are the silent language of grief.”
54. “It is not sufficient to see and to know the beauty of a work. We must feel and be affected by it.”
55. “It is not love that should be depicted as blind, but self-love.”
56. “The secret of being a bore is to tell everything.”
57. “Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too.”
58. “The world embarrasses me, and I cannot dream that this watch exists and has no watchmaker.”
59. “A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it the superficial appearance of being right.”
60. “The perfect is the enemy of the good.”

These quotes offer a glimpse into Voltaire’s thoughts and philosophies, encompassing a wide range of topics including freedom, reason, tolerance, satire, and human nature.

Inspirational Voltaire Quotes

Inspirational Voltaire Quotes:

1. “Optimism is the madness of insisting that all is well when we are miserable.”
2. “Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too.”
3. “Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”
4. “Doubt is an uncomfortable condition, but certainty is a ridiculous one.”
5. “God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.”
6. “No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking.”
7. “It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere.”
8. “Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.”
9. “Common sense is not so common.”
10. “Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do.”

Short Voltaire Quotes

Short Voltaire Quotes:

1. “I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
2. “The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing.”
3. “Love truth, and pardon error.”
4. “I have decided to be happy because it is good for my health.”
5. “We never live; we are always in the expectation of living.”
6. “Prejudices are what fools use for reason.”
7. “The secret of being a bore is to tell everything.”
8. “To hold a pen is to be at war.”
9. “The perfect is the enemy of the good.”
10. “If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.”

Funny Voltaire Quotes

Funny Voltaire Quotes:

1. “Common sense is not so common.”
2. “I have only ever made one prayer to God, a very short one: ‘O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.’ And God granted it.”
3. “Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.”
4. “Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.”
5. “I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to mispronounce it.”
6. “I was never ruined but twice: once when I lost a lawsuit, and once when I won one.”
7. “God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh.”
8. “I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him.”
9. “I would rather be ruled by one lion than by one hundred rats.”
10. “If there were no God, it would be necessary to invent him—and if He exists, to abolish Him.”

Famous Voltaire Quotes

Famous Voltaire Quotes:

1. “Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.”
2. “Common sense is not so common.”
3. “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”
4. “Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do.”
5. “Love truth, and pardon error.”
6. “It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.”
7. “Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too.”
8. “Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”
9. “We are all full of weakness and errors; let us mutually pardon each other our follies.”
10. “In the case of news, we should always wait for the sacrament of confirmation.”

Deep Voltaire Quotes

Deep Voltaire Quotes:

1. “Doubt is an uncomfortable condition, but certainty is a ridiculous one.”
2. “Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.”
3. “Man is free at the moment he wishes to be.”
4. “It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished, unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.”
5. “Work keeps at bay three great evils: boredom, vice, and need.”
6. “The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing.”
7. “If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.”
8. “We must cultivate our garden.”
9. “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.”
10. “To succeed in the world, it is not enough to be stupid, you must also be well-mannered.”

How Did Voltaire Become Famous?

Voltaire, whose real name was François-Marie Arouet, became famous through his prolific and influential writings as well as his involvement in intellectual and social circles of his time.

Here are some key factors that contributed to Voltaire’s rise to fame:

• Literary Works: Voltaire’s literary works played a significant role in establishing his fame. He wrote in various genres, including plays, poetry, essays, novels, and historical works. Notably, his philosophical novella “Candide” became one of his most renowned and widely read works, tackling philosophical themes such as optimism and the problem of evil.
• Satire and Critique: Voltaire’s sharp wit and satirical writing style made him a prominent figure in challenging prevailing institutions and social norms. Through his biting critiques of religious intolerance, political corruption, and societal injustices, he gained a reputation as a daring and provocative thinker.
• Philosophical and Intellectual Contributions: Voltaire was an important figure of the Enlightenment, a period marked by a focus on reason, science, and individual rights. He championed the values of intellectual freedom, tolerance, and secularism. His philosophical ideas and critiques of religious dogma resonated with many intellectuals and influenced the broader intellectual discourse of the time.
• Social and Political Engagements: Voltaire actively engaged with influential figures of his era, including intellectuals, writers, and political leaders. He corresponded with renowned philosophers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and exchanged ideas with key political figures, including Frederick the Great of Prussia and Catherine the Great of Russia. Voltaire’s involvement in these circles helped him gain recognition and expand his influence.
• Exile and Return: Voltaire experienced periods of exile due to his controversial writings and criticisms of the French establishment. He spent time in England, where he was exposed to English philosophies, legal systems, and literary works, which further shaped his thinking. Upon his return to France, he continued to write and engage in social and political activism, cementing his fame as a prominent intellectual figure.
• Legacy and Posthumous Influence: Voltaire’s impact extended beyond his lifetime. His ideas and writings continued to resonate and influence subsequent generations, making him a lasting and revered figure in the history of philosophy, literature, and the Enlightenment. His emphasis on reason, liberty, and tolerance played a role in shaping the intellectual foundations of modern democratic societies.

Overall, Voltaire’s fame can be attributed to his powerful and influential writings, his provocative critiques of institutions, his engagement with prominent thinkers of his time, and his lasting impact on intellectual and philosophical discourse.

Conclusion

Voltaire, a prominent Enlightenment philosopher, writer, and satirist, left behind a wealth of thought-provoking quotes that continue to resonate with people across generations. His words encompass a wide range of themes, from inspiration and wisdom to humor and deep introspection.

Voltaire’s quotes inspire us to think critically, question authority, and embrace individual freedom of thought.

In his inspirational quotes, Voltaire encourages optimism tempered with a dose of realism, urging us to think independently and appreciate the excellence in others. He reminds us of the power of doubt and critical thinking, highlighting the importance of sustained reflection and the pursuit of truth.

Voltaire’s words inspire us to live well, make the most of our lives, and take responsibility for the good we can do in the world.

Voltaire’s short quotes are witty and succinct, delivering profound messages in just a few words. Often satirical, these quotes challenge prevailing norms and encourage us to question established beliefs.

They highlight the value of intellectual freedom, the dangers of prejudice, and the absurdities of certainty.

Voltaire’s humor adds levity to his insightful observations, making us smile while prompting deeper reflection.

The famous quotes of Voltaire have become enduring expressions of his philosophy. They touch upon topics such as freedom of speech, common sense, human fallibility, and the importance of tolerance.

Voltaire’s commitment to individual rights and his unwavering belief in the power of reason continue to inspire those who strive for a more enlightened and just society.

In his deep quotes, Voltaire dives into existential questions and human nature. He challenges conventional wisdom, the role of religion, and the impact of power on individuals and society.

Voltaire’s words remind us of the complexities of life and the need to cultivate our own understanding, while cautioning against blind faith and the dangers of unchecked authority.

In conclusion, Voltaire’s quotes leave an indelible mark on our minds and hearts. They inspire us to think critically, embrace intellectual freedom, and question societal norms.

Voltaire’s wit, wisdom, and ability to provoke thought make his quotes timeless and relevant. They serve as a reminder that, even centuries later, his ideas continue to shape our understanding of the world and our place within it.

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