When we cannot use the compass of mathematics or the torch of experience...it is certain we cannot take a single step forward. Voltaire More Quotes by Voltaire More Quotes From Voltaire It is ourselves alone that make our days lucky or unlucky. Away, then, with a vain prejudice, the invention of the priesthood, which has been transmitted by our ancestors to an ignorant people. Voltaire ignorantluckpeople The worthy administrators of justice are like a cat set to take care of a cheese, lest it should be gnawed by the mice. One bite of the cat does more damage to the cheese than twenty mice can do. Voltaire cattwentiesjustice Optimism," said Cacambo, "What is that?" "Alas!" replied Candide, "It is the obstinacy of maintaining that everything is best when it is worst. Voltaire maintainingoptimismoptimistic A physician is an unfortunate gentleman who is every day required to perform a miracle; namely to reconcile health with intemperance. Voltaire gentlemanhealthmiracle Men use thought only as authority for their injustice, and employ speech only to conceal their thoughts. Voltaire learningmenknowledge It is not the answers you give, but the questions you ask. Voltaire answersmotivationalgiving Verses which do not teach men new and moving truths do not deserve to be read. Voltaire poetrymenmoving Historians are gossips who tease the dead Voltaire gossipteasehistory Among the illusions which have invested our civilization is an absolute belief that the solutions to our problems must be a more determined application of rationally organized expertise... The reality is that our problems are largely the product of that application. Voltaire riskcivilizationreality A little evil is often necessary for obtaining a great good. Voltaire obtainingevillittles It is vain for the coward to flee; death follows close behind; it is only by defying it that the brave escape. Voltaire vaincowardbravery What can we say with certainty? Voltaire certaincertainty Let all the laws be clear, uniform and precise for interpreting laws is almost always to corrupt them. Voltaire uniformsclearlaw Perfection is attained by slow degrees; it requires the hand of time. Voltaire goaltimehands History is nothing but a pack of tricks that we play upon the dead. Voltaire tricksplayhistory Even in those cities which seem to enjoy the blessings of peace, and where the arts florish, the inhabitants are devoured by envy, cares and anxieties, which are greater plagues than any expirienced in a town when it is under siege. Voltaire citiesblessingart We admit, in geometry, not only infinite magnitudes, that is to say, magnitudes greater than any assignable magnitude, but infinite magnitudes infinitely greater, the one than the other. This astonishes our dimension of brains, which is only about six inches long, five broad, and six in depth, in the largest heads. Voltaire ontologybrainlong Let us read, and let us dance — these two amusements will never do any harm to the world. Voltaire dancereadingtwo An ideal form of government is democracy tempered with assassination. Voltaire democracyformgovernment If it's too silly to be said, it can always be sung. Voltaire ifssaidsilly
