Voltaire quotes - page 7

Virtue supposes liberty, as the carrying of a burden supposes active force. Under coercion there is no virtue, and without virtue there is no religion. Make a slave of me, and I shall be no better for it. Even the sovereign has no right to use coercion to lead men to religion, which by its nature supposes choice and liberty. My thought is no more subject to authority than is sickness or health. (Voltaire)
I cannot guess what may be the fate of Quakerism in America; but I perceive it loses ground daily in England. In all countries, where the established religion is of a mild and tolerating nature, it will at length swallow up all the rest. View quote
Voltaire
I've decided to be happy because it is good for my health. View quote
Voltaire
The most important decision you make is to be in a good mood. View quote
Voltaire
We are all full of weakness and errors; let us mutually pardon each other our follies - it is the first law of nature. View quote
Voltaire
Of all religions, the Christian should of course inspire the most tolerance, but until now Christians have been the most intolerant of all men. View quote
Voltaire
Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity. View quote
Voltaire
Nature has always had more force than education. View quote
Voltaire
By appreciation, we make excellence in others our own property. View quote
Voltaire
To the wicked, everything serves as pretext. View quote
Voltaire
What a heavy burden is a name that has become famous too soon. (Voltaire)
The first step, my son, which one makes in the world, is the one on which depends the rest of our days. View quote
Voltaire
Very often, say what you will, a knave is only a fool. View quote
Voltaire
He must be very ignorant for he answers every question he is asked. View quote
Voltaire
Paradise was made for tender hearts; hell, for loveless hearts. View quote
Voltaire
Very learned women are to be found, in the same manner as female warriors; but they are seldom or ever inventors. View quote
Voltaire
Fear follows crime and is its punishment. View quote
Voltaire
The world embarrasses me, and I cannot dream that this watch exists and has no watchmaker. View quote
Voltaire
This self-love is the instrument of our preservation; it resembles the provision for the perpetuity of mankind: it is necessary, it is dear to us, it gives us pleasure, and we must conceal it. View quote
Voltaire
What most persons consider as virtue, after the age of 40 is simply a loss of energy. View quote
Voltaire
It is vain for the coward to flee; death follows close behind; it is only by defying it that the brave escape. (Voltaire)
He shines in the second rank, who is eclipsed in the first. View quote
Voltaire
I have lived eighty years of life and know nothing for it, but to be resigned and tell myself that flies are born to be eaten by spiders and man to be devoured by sorrow. View quote
Voltaire
We have a natural right to make use of our pens as of our tongue, at our peril, risk and hazard. View quote
Voltaire
The mouth obeys poorly when the heart murmurs. View quote
Voltaire