Voltaire, pseud. de Fran�ois-Marie Arouet
France
21 Nov 1694 // 30 May 1778
Philosopher / Writer / Historian
21 Nov 1694 // 30 May 1778
Philosopher / Writer / Historian
Quotes
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I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it
I am very fond of truth, but not at all of martyrdom
How pleasant it is for a father to sit at his child's board. It is like an aged man reclining under the shadow of an oak which he has planted
He was a great patriot, a humanitarian, a loyal friend; provided, of course, he really is dead
He must be very ignorant for he answers every question he is asked
God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well
Friendship is the marriage of the soul, and this marriage is liable to divorce
Everything's fine today, that is our illusion
Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do
Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd
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On Anger: "For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind."
Essays
Essays
On Destiny: "Our destiny exercises its influence over us even when, as yet, we have not learned its nature: it is our future that lays down the law of our today."
Human, All Too Human
Human, All Too Human
On Friendship: "A crowd is not company; and faces are but a gallery of pictures; and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love."
Essays
Essays