Last updated on May 21, 2024 by Roger Kaufman
Voltaire: The intrepid master of the sharp pen and sharp mind ✒️ Voltaire's best Quotes & Wisdoms
François-Marie Arouet, better known by his pseudonym Voltaire, was not only a writer and philosopher, but also a sharp-tongued critic of his time.
His pointed remarks and keen observations about politics, religion and society have made him one of the most famous representatives of the Enlightenment.
A fireworks display thoughts: Voltaire's best quotes and words of wisdom
Voltaire's legacy is a true one treasure of witty quotes and wisdom that can still make you think, smile and question today.
His words are like little pinpricks that break up your fixed thought patterns and give you new ones Good prospects can open.
Here's a little taste of his brilliant thoughts:
- “Doubt is unpleasant, but certainty is absurd.” – A call for critical reflection and to question supposed truths.
- “Work keeps us away from three great evils: boredom, vice and want.” – An ode to the value of work and its positive impact on your life.
- “I don’t like your opinion, but I would give my life for you to say it.” – A passionate plea for freedom of expression and tolerance.
- "The best government is the one who teaches us to govern ourselves.” – An appeal for self-determination and taking responsibility.
- “Human stupidity is the only thing that is infinite.” – A humorous but also sobering statement about humanity Nature.
Voltaire's Legacy: A Call for Reason and Tolerance
Voltaire's works are a passionate plea for reason, tolerance and freedom. He fought against Superstition, fanaticism and oppression and advocated for a fairer and more humane society.
His criticism of the grievances of his time is still relevant today. His words remind you that you must always remain vigilant and work for a better world.
Immerse yourself in Voltaire's world of thought!
Be inspired by Voltaire's sharp mind and fearless spirit. Discover the 54th best quotes and wisdom of this extraordinary thinker and let his words lead you to new knowledge and insights.
Voltaire's work is a timeless gift to humanity. His words are a call to reason, tolerance and freedom - values that are still of inestimable importance today.
Here are 54 of Voltaire's best quotes, expressed loosely but in the spirit of the great thinker:
“Doubt is unpleasant, but certainty is absurd.” – Voltaire
"The Secret“The way to be boring is to tell everything.” – Voltaire
“Work keeps us away from three great evils: boredom, vice and want.” – Voltaire
“It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.” – Voltaire
“Those who can make you believe in absurdities can also make you commit atrocities.” – Voltaire
“Perfection is the enemy of good.” – Voltaire
“Human history is a history of crime and misfortune.” – Voltaire
“God has given us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of the good life.” – Voltaire
“Prejudices are what fools think are thoughts.” – Voltaire
“I don’t like your opinion, but I would give my life for you to say it.” – Voltaire
“It is better to be fanatical about education than fanatical about ignorance.” – Voltaire
“The best government is the one that teaches us to govern ourselves.” – Voltaire
“Superstition places a demon next to every god.” – Voltaire
“The more I read, the more I acquire, and the more certain I am that I know nothing.” – Voltaire
“The true art of government is to take as much money as possible from one class of citizens and give it to another.” – Voltaire
"The History should not be the praise of great men, but the history of mankind.” – Voltaire
“Medicine is the art of entertaining the patient while nature heals him.” – Voltaire
“Paradise was made for Adam and Eve, hell for the theologians.” – Voltaire
"The Love for the truth is the strongest motivation in life.” – Voltaire
“Reading nourishes the soul.” – Voltaire
“Reason is for People come to free him from error, not to confirm him in it.” – Voltaire
“Tolerance has never harmed anyone.” – Voltaire
“The best way that future To predict is to shape it.” – Voltaire
“Public opinion is a wavering tyrant.” – Voltaire
“A joke is a short sentence that contains the truth.” – Voltaire
“Marriage is the only adventure that cowards dare.” – Voltaire
“Human stupidity is the only thing that is infinite.” – Voltaire
“Old age is a shipwreck, but you don’t have to stay on board.” – Voltaire
“The optimist claims we live in the best of all possible worlds, and the pessimist fears that this is true.” – Voltaire
“The tragedy of life is that we old before we become wise.” – Voltaire
“The happiness of life depends on the good thoughts we have.” – Voltaire
“Freedom of thought is humanity’s most valuable asset.” – Voltaire
"The of Love is the strongest of all passions because it attacks the head, the heart and the senses at the same time.” – Voltaire
“The hope is a good breakfast but a bad dinner.” – Voltaire
“Life is a play not worth dressing up for.” – Voltaire
“Poetry is the music of the soul.” – Voltaire
“The secret of success is to understand the other person’s point of view.” – Voltaire
“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” – Voltaire
“Life is too short to waste it on little things.” – Voltaire
“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” – Voltaire
"The Glück is to live like everyone else and yet be like no one else.” – Voltaire
“Life is a fight, not against others, but against ourselves.” – Voltaire
“The music is that universal language of humanity." – Voltaire
“Happiness is one butterfly, which, if you pursue it, always remains out of reach, but if you sit down quietly, it can descend on you.” – Voltaire
"The live is a comedy for those who think and a tragedy for those who feel.” – Voltaire
"The Friendship is one soul in two bodies.” – Voltaire
"The greatest happiness in life is the conviction of being loved.” – Voltaire
“The art of medicine is to amuse the patient while nature heals him.” – Voltaire
“Life is a long journey that begins with the first scream and ends with the last breath.” – Voltaire
“Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its students.” – Voltaire
“The greatest crime is not to love.” – Voltaire
“Life is a journey, and whoever travels lives twice.” – Voltaire
“The truth never triumphs, its opponents only die out.” – Voltaire
“Smile is the shortest distance between two People." – Voltaire
Is there anything else important I should know about Voltaire?
Yes, Voltaire was much more than just a master of pithy quotes. Here are some important aspects that make him a key figure in the Enlightenment and beyond:
Live and act:
- Writer and philosopher: Voltaire was an incredibly prolific writer, active in almost every literary genre: plays, poems, novels, essays, historical works and even scientific treatises. His writings were often satirical and critical of existing conditions.
- Fighters for justice and tolerance: Voltaire was passionate about justice, freedom of expression and religious tolerance. He criticized the abuses of power by the church and the nobility, denounced the persecution of minorities and fought against censorship and oppression.
- Spotter: As one of the leading representatives of the Enlightenment, Voltaire was a champion of reason, progress and education. He believed in the power of the human spirit to improve the world and overcome injustice.
Important works:
- “Candide or Optimism” (1759): This satirical novel is Voltaire's best-known work. He criticizes the blind belief in “optimism” and asks the question of the meaning of suffering in the world.
- “Zadig or Fate” (1747): A philosophical tale that deals with themes such as justice, luck and fate.
- “Philosophical Letters” (1734): A collection of letters in which Voltaire expresses his observations about England and his admiration for English society and politics.
- “Treatise on Tolerance” (1763): A passionate defense of religious tolerance and an indictment of fanaticism and intolerance.
Influence:
- French Revolution: Voltaire's ideas and writings had a major influence on the French Revolution. His criticism of the monarchy and the church as well as his demand for freedom and equality inspired many revolutionaries.
- Modern society: Voltaire's commitment to freedom of expression, tolerance and human rights is still relevant today and shapes our ideas about a just and open society.
Controversies:
- Criticism of religion: Voltaire was a harsh critic of organized religion, particularly the Catholic Church. His attacks on religious dogma and authority made him a controversial figure.
- Cynicism and pessimism: Despite his commitment to progress and enlightenment, Voltaire is sometimes criticized for the cynicism and pessimism evident in some of his works.
