All Voltaire quotes ⇑
It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.Funny
It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one.Judgement
Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too.Short Thinking
Our wretched species is so made that those who walk on the well-trodden path always throw stones at those who are showing a new road.Ignorance
Doubt is an uncomfortable condition, but certainty is a ridiculous one.Truth Wisdom
Faith consists in believing what reason cannot.Faith Short
Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.Perspective
Every man is a creature of the age in which he lives and few are able to raise themselves above the ideas of the time.Life Philosophy Time Idea
Give me the patience for the small things of life, courage for the great trials of life. Help me to do my best each day and then go to sleep knowing God is awake.Courage God Life
Optimism: It is the obstinacy of maintaining that everything is best when it is worst.
The most important decision you make is to be in a good mood.Happiness Short
Despite the enormous quantity of books, how few people read! And if one reads profitably, one would realize how much stupid stuff the vulgar herd is content to swallow every day.Book People Reading
Let us cultivate our garden.
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.Belief Humans
I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: Oh Lord, make my enemies ridiculous. And God granted itGod Humor
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.Inspirational Life Choice Acceptance
The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.Nature Art
In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one class of citizens to give to another.Money Art
Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.Reading
Fools have a habit of believing that everything written by a famous author is admirable. For my part I read only to please myself and like only what suits my taste.Habit Book Opinion Reading
Now, now my good man, this is no time to be making enemies. (Voltaire on his deathbed in response to a priest asking him that he renounce Satan.) 
The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing. 
It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets. 
Common sense is not so common. 
Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats. 
It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.
It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one.
Our wretched species is so made that those who walk on the well-trodden path always throw stones at those who are showing a new road.
God is a circle whose center is everywhere and circumference nowhere.
Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.
Every man is a creature of the age in which he lives and few are able to raise themselves above the ideas of the time.
We never live; we are always in the expectation of living.
Give me the patience for the small things of life, courage for the great trials of life. Help me to do my best each day and then go to sleep knowing God is awake.
Optimism: It is the obstinacy of maintaining that everything is best when it is worst.
The comfort of the rich depends upon an abundant supply of the poor.
Despite the enormous quantity of books, how few people read! And if one reads profitably, one would realize how much stupid stuff the vulgar herd is content to swallow every day.
Let us cultivate our garden.
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.
I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: Oh Lord, make my enemies ridiculous. And God granted it
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.
In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one class of citizens to give to another.
Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.
