Quotes from Voltaire

The discovery of what is true and the practice of that which is good are the two most important objects of philosophy.

An opportunity fordoing an injury happens a hundred times a day, hut for doing good not once a year, " says Zoroaster.

Poetry is the music of the soul, and, above all, of great and feeling souls.

Verses which do not teach men new and moving truths do not deserve to be read.

It is as impossible to translate poetry as it is to translate music.

This poem will never reach its destination. On Rousseau's Ode To Posterity

It is impossible to translate poetry. Can you translate music?

Is politics nothing other than the art of deliberately lying?

Opinion has caused more trouble on this little earth than plagues or earthquakes.

We cannot always oblige; but we can always speak obligingly.

The public is a ferocious beast; one must either chain it or flee from it.

The more he became truly wise, the more he distrusted everything he knew.

Do well and you will have no need for ancestors.

What can I hope when all is right?

The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us

Life is thickly sown with thorns. I know no other remedy than to pass rapidly over them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes the greater is their power to harm us.

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.

True power and true politeness are above vanity.

The tyranny of the many would be when one body takes over the rights of others, and then exercises its power to change the laws in its favor.

If mankind were born tomorrow it would divide into groups; each would scramble to invent their one and only god, and set about butchering each-other.

God created woman to tame man.

I die adoring God, loving my friends, not hating my enemies, and detesting superstition.

Inspiration: A peculiar effect of divine flatulence emitted by the Holy Spirit which hisses into the ears of a few chosen of God.

To pray to God is to flatter oneself that with words one can alter nature.