Voltaire quotes - page 5

To pray to God is to flatter oneself that with words one can alter nature. (Voltaire)
The institution of religion exists only to keep mankind in order, and to make men merit the goodness of God by their virtue. Everything in a religion which does not tend towards this goal must be considered foreign or dangerous. View quote
Voltaire
I am convinced that everything has come down to us from the banks of the Ganges, astronomy, astrology, metempsychosis, etc. It does not behoove us, who were only savages and barbarians when these Indians and Chinese peoples were civilized and learned, to dispute their antiquity. View quote
Voltaire
Where there is friendship, there is our natural soil. View quote
Voltaire
The man, who in a fit of melancholy, kills himself today, would have wished to live had he waited a week. View quote
Voltaire
Chance is a word void of sense; nothing can exist without a cause. View quote
Voltaire
The opportunity for doing mischief is found a hundred times a day, and of doing good once in a year. View quote
Voltaire
Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by imagination. View quote
Voltaire
Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us. View quote
Voltaire
One always speaks badly when one has nothing to say. View quote
Voltaire
If there were only one religion in England there would be danger of despotism, if there were two, they would cut each other's throats, but there are thirty, and they live in peace and happiness. (Voltaire)
We all look for happiness, but without knowing where to find it: like drunkards who look for their house, knowing dimly that they have one. View quote
Voltaire
If God has made us in his image, we have returned him the favor. View quote
Voltaire
Men will always be mad, and those who think they can cure them are the maddest of all. View quote
Voltaire
Whatever you do, crush the infamous thing, and love those who love you. View quote
Voltaire
Life is bristling with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to cultivate one's garden. View quote
Voltaire
Let the punishments of criminals be useful. A hanged man is good for nothing; a man condemned to public works still serves the country, and is a living lesson. View quote
Voltaire
"You're a bitter man," said Candide. "That's because I've lived," said Martin. View quote
Voltaire
Such then is the human condition, that to wish greatness for one's country is to wish harm to one's neighbors. View quote
Voltaire
Faith consists in believing what reason cannot. View quote
Voltaire
If you want good laws, burn those you have and make new ones. (Voltaire)
The safest course is to do nothing against one's conscience. With this secret, we can enjoy life and have no fear from death. View quote
Voltaire
The Jewish nation dares to display an irreconcilable hatred toward all nations, and revolts against all masters; always superstitious, always greedy for the well-being enjoyed by others, always barbarous - cringing in misfortune and insolent in prosperity. View quote
Voltaire
The instruction we find in books is like fire. We fetch it from our neighbours, kindle it at home, communicate it to others, and it becomes the property of all. View quote
Voltaire
To enjoy life we must touch much of it lightly. View quote
Voltaire