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Quotes from L'Encyclopédie — Denis Diderot

1713–1784 France

← All quotes by Denis Diderot

6 quotes

The philosopher forms his principles from an infinity of particular observations.

L'Encyclopédie (1751)

Reason is to the philosopher what grace is to the Christian.
Grace causes the Christian to act, reason the philosopher.

L'Encyclopédie (1751)

This is a work that cannot be completed except by a society of men of letters and skilled workmen, each working separately on his own part, but all bound together solely by their zeal for the best interests of the human race and a feeling of mutual good will.

L'Encyclopédie (1751)

Power acquired by violence is only a usurpation, and lasts only as long as the force of him who commands prevails over that of those who obey.

L'Encyclopédie (1751)

No man has received from nature the right to give orders to others. Freedom is a gift from heaven, and every individual of the same species has the right to enjoy it as soon as he is in enjoyment of his reason.

L'Encyclopédie (1751)

The good of the people must be the great purpose of government. By the laws of nature and of reason, the governors are invested with power to that end. And the greatest good of the people is liberty. It is to the state what health is to the individual.

L'Encyclopédie (1751)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Denis Diderot (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.