Those who can be made to believe absurdities can be made to commit atrocities. Voltaire More Quotes by Voltaire More Quotes From Voltaire There are men who can think no deeper than a fact. Voltaire menfunnythinking I have been a hundred times on the point of killing myself, but still was fond of life. This ridiculous weakness is perhaps one of our worst instincts. What can be more absurd than choosing to carry a burden that one really wants to throw to the ground? To detest, and yet to strive to preserve our existence? To caress the serpent that devours us, and hug him close to our bosoms till he has gnawed into our hearts? Voltaire hugweaknessheart He who cannot shine by thought, seeks to bring himself into notice by a witticism. Voltaire witshining It is not more surprising to be born twice than once; everything in nature is resurrection. Voltaire resurrectionrebirthbirthday A clergyman is one who feels himself called upon to live without working at the expense of the rascals who work to live. Voltaire clergymenexpensesatheism A good imitation is the most perfect originality Voltaire originalityimitationperfect All is a miracle. The stupendous order of nature, the revolution of a hundred millions of worlds around a million of stars, the activity of light, the life of all animals, all are grand and perpetual miracles. Voltaire natureinspirationallife To pray to God is to flatter oneself that with words one can alter nature. Voltaire oneselfprayingpraying-to-god God prefers bad verses recited with a pure heart to the finest verses chanted by the wicked. Voltaire wickedprayerheart Being a bird ain't all about flying and shitting from high places. Voltaire high-placesflyingbird God is a circle whose center is everywhere and circumference nowhere. Voltaire circlesspiritualgod Writing is the painting of the voice. Voltaire paintingvoicewriting True power and true politeness are above vanity. Voltaire true-powerpolitenessvanity I have no morals, yet I am a very moral person Voltaire moralpersons Adultery is an evil only inasmuch as it is a theft; but we do not steal that which is given to us. Voltaire adulteryinfidelityevil There are no sects in geometry. Voltaire sectsgeometrymath All sects are different, because they come from men; morality is everywhere the same, because it comes from God. Voltaire differentmenreligion The punishment of criminals should be of use; when a man is hanged he is good for nothing. Voltaire criminalsusemen One always begins with the simple, then comes the complex, and by superior enlightenment one often reverts in the end to the simple. Such is the course of human intelligence. Voltaire enlightenmentendssimple Indolence is sweet, and its consequences bitter. Voltaire bitterindolencesweet
