Voltaire Quotes to Inspire Free Thought
This collection of Voltaire quotes, like the man himself, encourage freedom of speech and thought.
François-Marie Arouet, known by his pen name Voltaire, is considered one of France’s greatest writers from the Age of Enlightenment period.
Voltaire was a man of reason, a deist who loathed fanaticism, superstition, idolatry and mostly the fact that men are capable of killing each other to defend a religious doctrine that they scarcely understand.
Voltaire strongly believed in freedom of speech and heavily criticized the heavy influence of religion in Government affairs.
His words are straightforward, witty and encourage questioning thoughts and opinions. You will find them separated in regards to Voltaire’s most famous quotes on freedom of speech, Government and religious powers and plain old human stupidity! Enjoy.
Famous Voltaire Quotes
Common sense is not so common. Voltaire
Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers. Voltaire
Perfect is the enemy of good. Voltaire
Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do. Voltaire
Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said. Voltaire
Prejudices are what fools use for reason. Voltaire
Dare to think for yourself. Voltaire
Man is free at the instant he wants to be. Voltaire
We never live; we are always in the expectation of living. Voltaire
The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us. Voltaire
The most important decision you make is to be in a good mood. Voltaire
Let us read and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world. Voltaire
It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere. Voltaire
The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease. Voltaire
Don’t think money does everything or you are going to end up doing everything for money. Voltaire
Opinion has caused more trouble on this little earth than plagues or earthquakes. Voltaire
To the living we owe respect, but to the dead we owe only the truth. Voltaire
Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats. Voltaire
Cherish those who seek the truth but beware of those who find it. Voltaire
The mirror is a worthless invention. The only way to truly see yourself is in the reflection of someone else’s eyes. Voltaire
Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well. 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
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
Let us cultivate our garden. 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
Voltaire Quotes on Freedom of Speech
If you want to know who controls you, look at who you are not allowed to criticize. Voltaire
The right to free speech is more important than the content of the speech. Voltaire
Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too. Voltaire
Every man is a creature of the age in which he lives, and few are able to raise themselves above the ideas of the time. Voltaire
So long as the people do not care to exercise their freedom, those who wish to tyrannize will do so; for tyrants are active and ardent and will devote themselves in the name of any number of gods, religious and otherwise, to put shackles upon sleeping men. Voltaire
No opinion is worth burning your neighbor for. Voltaire
I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it. Voltaire
Many are destined to reason wrongly; others, not to reason at all; and others, to persecute those who do reason. Voltaire
Voltaire Quotes about Government
It is forbidden to kill; therefore, all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets. Voltaire
It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong. Voltaire
The comfort of the rich depends upon an abundant supply of the poor. Voltaire
Is politics nothing other than the art of deliberately lying? Voltaire
In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one class of citizens to give to another. Voltaire
What is history? The lie that everyone agrees on. Voltaire
He must be very ignorant for he answers every question he is asked. Voltaire
Voltaire Quotes on Religion
If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him. Voltaire
God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well. Voltaire
Those who can make you believe absurdities; can make you commit atrocities. Voltaire
God is a comedian playing to an audience that is too afraid to laugh. Voltaire
God is a circle whose center is everywhere and circumference nowhere. Voltaire
Faith consists in believing what reason cannot. Voltaire
Funny Voltaire Quotes
If there’s life on other planets, then the earth is the Universe’s insane asylum. Voltaire
The only way to comprehend what mathematicians mean by Infinity is to contemplate the extent of human stupidity. Voltaire
The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing. Voltaire
I don’t know where I am going, but I am on my way. Voltaire
The secret of being a bore is to tell everything. Voltaire
The more often a stupidity is repeated, the more it gets the appearance of wisdom. Voltaire
If you’re interested in more famous quotes, inspiring and positive words, be sure to check out:
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- 42 of the Best ‘Lao Tzu’ Quotes on Life, Thoughts & Knowing Yourself
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