Only God and some few rare geniuses can keep forging ahead into novelty. Denis Diderot More Quotes by Denis Diderot More Quotes From Denis Diderot If ever anybody dedicated his whole life to the "enthusiasm for truth and justice" using this phrase in the good sense it was Diderot. Denis Diderot phrases enthusiasm justice One may demand of me that I should seek truth, but not that I should find it Denis Diderot demand should may I feel, I think, I judge; therefore, a part of organized matter like me is capable of feeling, thinking, and judging. Denis Diderot judging feelings thinking Man was born to live with his fellow human beings. Separate him, isolate him, his character will go bad, a thousand ridiculous affects will invade his heart, extravagant thoughts will germinate in his brain, like thorns in an uncultivated land. Denis Diderot heart character men Evil always turns up in this world through some genius or other. Denis Diderot genius evil world The pit of a theatre is the one place where the tears of virtuous and wicked men alike are mingled. Denis Diderot wicked theatre men The arbitrary rule of a just and enlightened prince is always bad. His virtues are the most dangerous and the surest form of seduction: they lull a people imperceptibly into the habit of loving, respecting, and serving his successor, whoever that successor may be, no matter how wicked or stupid. Denis Diderot wicked stupid people Those authors into whose hands nature has placed a magic wand, with which they no sooner touch us than we forget the unhappiness in life, than the darkness leaves our soul, and we are reconciled to existence, should be placed among the benefactors of the human race. Denis Diderot soul race hands We are all instruments endowed with feeling and memory. Our senses are so many strings that are struck by surrounding objects and that also frequently strike themselves. Denis Diderot medicine philosophy memories All abstract sciences are nothing but the study of relations between signs. Denis Diderot technology study science If the weather is too cold or rainy, I take shelter in the Regence Cafe, where I entertain myself by watching chess being played. Paris is the world center, and this cafe is the Paris centre for the finest skill at this game. Denis Diderot learning skills games A thing is not proved because no one has ever questioned it... Skepticism is the first step toward truth. Denis Diderot first-steps steps firsts There comes a moment during which almost every girl or boy falls into melancholy; they are tormented by a vague inquietude which rests on everything and finds nothing to calm it. They seek solitude; they weep; the silence to be found in cloister attracts them: the image of peace that seems to reign in religious houses seduces them. They mistake the first manifestations of a developing sexual nature for the voice of God calling them to Himself; and it is precisely when nature is inciting them that they embrace a fashion of life contrary to nature's wish. Denis Diderot fashion girl religious The infant runs toward it with its eyes closed, the adult is stationary, the old man approaches it with his back turned. Denis Diderot eye running men The enjoyment of freedom which could be exercised without any motivation would be the real hallmark of a maniac. Denis Diderot motivation real would-be Isn't it better to have men being ungrateful than to miss a chance to do good? Denis Diderot ungrateful missing men Gratitude is a burden, and every burden is made to be shaken off. Denis Diderot inspirational-christmas burden gratitude Does not vanity itself cease to be blamable, is it not even ennobled, when it is directed to laudable objects, when it confines itself to prompting us to great and generous actions? Denis Diderot vanity action doe Only a very bad theologian would confuse the certainty that follows revelation with the truths that are revealed. They are entirely different things. Denis Diderot revelations different religion Whatever dressing one gives to mushrooms, to whatever sauces our Apiciuses put them, they are not really good but to be sent back to the dungheap where they are born. Denis Diderot sauce mushrooms giving
