Quotes from Voltaire

Opinion is called the queen of the world; it is so, for when reason opposes it, it is condemned to death. It must rise twenty times from its ashes to gradually drive away the usurper.

Tyrants have always some slight shade of virtue; they support the laws before destroying them.

We are all full of weakness and errors; let us mutually pardon each other our follies - it is the first law of nature.

It is not more surprising to be born twice than once; everything in nature is resurrection

May God defend me from my friends; I can defend myself from my enemies.

Friendship is the marriage of the soul, and this marriage is liable to divorce.

But in this country it is necessary, now and then, to put one admiral to death in order to inspire the others to fight.

Often the prudent, far from making their destinies, succumb to them. -Francois

Men are equal; it is not birth but virtue that makes the difference.

Mortals are equal; their mask differs.

All the citizens of a state cannot be equally powerful, but they may be equally free

Is there anyone so wise as to learn by the experience of others?

When we cannot use the compass of mathematics or the torch of experience...it is certain we cannot take a single step forward.

Individual misfortunes give rise to the general good; so that the more individual misfortunes exist, the more all is fine.

Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.

Faith consists in believing not what seems true, but what seems false to our understanding.

Faith is believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.

We adore, we invoke, we seek to appease, only that which we fear.

Fear follows crime and is its punishment.

Fear could never make a virtue.

Woe to the makers of literal translations, who by rendering every word weaken the meaning! It is indeed by so doing that we can say the letter kills and the spirit gives life.

In my life, I have prayed but one prayer: oh Lord, make my enemies ridiculous. And God granted it.

To enjoy life, we must touch much of it lightly.

The great consolation in life is to say what one thinks.