94 quotes
Skepticism is the first step toward truth. It must be applied generally, because it is the touchstone.
Every man has his dignity. I'm willing to forget mine, but at my own discretion and not when someone else tells me to.
Rameau's Nephew (1762)
I believe in God, although I live very happily with atheists... It is very important not to mistake hemlock for parsley; but not at all so to believe or not in God.
Against the Faith (1985)
Gaiety — a quality of ordinary men. Genius always presupposes some disorder in the machine.
Elements of Physiology (1875)
Only a very bad theologian would confuse the certainty that follows revelation with the truths that are revealed. They are entirely different things.
Apology for the Abbé de Prades (1752)
Disturbances in society are never more fearful than when those who are stirring up the trouble can use the pretext of religion to mask their true designs.
Observations on the Drawing Up of Laws (1774)
Poetry must have something in it that is barbaric, vast and wild.
On Dramatic Poetry (1758)
If you want me to believe in God, you must make me touch him.
A melody is a vocal or instrumental imitation using the sounds of a scale invented by art or inspired by nature, as you prefer; it imitates either physical noises or the accents of passion.
See this egg. It is with this that all the schools of theology and all the temples of the earth are to be overturned.
The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.
Observations on the Drawing Up of Laws (1774)
Gratitude is a burden, and every burden is made to be shaken off.
Rameau's Nephew (1762)
I have often seen an actor laugh off the stage, but I don’t remember ever having seen one weep.
Paradox on Acting (1830)
It is not human nature we should accuse but the despicable conventions that pervert it.
On Dramatic Poetry (1758)
We are far more liable to catch the vices than the virtues of our associates.
To say that man is a compound of strength and weakness, light and darkness, smallness and greatness, is not to indict him, it is to define him.
Pensées Philosophiques (1746)
When superstition is allowed to perform the task of old age in dulling the human temperament, we can say goodbye to all excellence in poetry, in painting, and in music.
Pensées Philosophiques (1746)
Our observation of nature must be diligent, our reflection profound, and our experiments exact. We rarely see these three means combined; and for this reason, creative geniuses are not common.
On the Interpretation of Nature (1753)
The pit of a theatre is the one place where the tears of virtuous and wicked men alike are mingled.
On Dramatic Poetry (1758)
The decisions of law courts should never be printed: in the long run, they form a counterauthority to the law.
Observations on the Drawing Up of Laws (1774)