François-Marie Arouet (1694-1778) was a French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher. Known by his nom de plume M. de Voltaire, he was famous for his wit, and his criticism of Christianity — especially of the Roman Catholic Church — and of slavery.
Voltaire Quotes
The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing.
—Voltaire
Fools have a habit of believing that everything written by a famous author is admirable. For my part I read only to please myself and like only what suits my taste.
—Voltaire
Man is free at the instant he wants to be.
—Voltaire
It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.
—Voltaire
Don’t think money does everything or you are going to end up doing everything for money.
—Voltaire
The secret of being a bore is to tell everything.
—Voltaire
Perfect is the enemy of good.
—Voltaire
If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.
—Voltaire
“But for what purpose was the earth formed?” asked Candide. “To drive us mad,” replied Martin.”
—Voltaire
Love truth, but pardon error.
—Voltaire
Despite the enormous quantity of books, how few people read! And if one reads profitably, one would realize how much stupid stuff the vulgar herd is content to swallow every day.
—Voltaire
Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.
—Voltaire
We never live; we are always in the expectation of living.
—Voltaire
I don’t know where I am going, but I am on my way.
—Voltaire
Our wretched species is so made that those who walk on the well-trodden path always throw stones at those who are showing a new road.
—Voltaire
No opinion is worth burning your neighbor for.
—Voltaire
Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too.
—Voltaire
The only way to comprehend what mathematicians mean by Infinity is to contemplate the extent of human stupidity.
—Voltaire
He must be very ignorant for he answers every question he is asked.
—Voltaire
It is clear that the individual who persecutes a man, his brother, because he is not of the same opinion, is a monster.
—Voltaire
The human brain is a complex organ with the wonderful power of enabling man to find reasons for continuing to believe whatever it is that he wants to believe.
—Voltaire