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Voltaire on Religion

1694–1778 France

← All quotes by Voltaire

9 quotes

Every one goes astray, but the least imprudent are they who repent the soonest.

The truths of religion are never so well understood as by those who have lost the power of reasoning.

Dictionnaire Philosophique (1764)

Religion may be purified. This great work was begun two hundred years ago: but men can only bear light to come in upon them by degrees.

The world embarrasses me, and I cannot dream
That this watch exists and has no watchmaker.

Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922)

Superstition is to religion what astrology is to astronomy, the mad daughter of a wise mother. These daughters have too long dominated the earth.

Superstition is to religion what astrology is to astronomy: a very stupid daughter of a very wise mother.

Attributed A Thousand Flashes of French Wit, Wisdom, and Wickedness (1902)

Nothing can be more contrary to religion and the clergy than reason and common sense.

Misattributed

France is a nation with one religion and many sauces; England is a nation with many religions and only one sauce.

Misattributed Actual source is Louis Eustache Ude (1829)

All religions are more or less mixed with superstitions. Man is not reasonable enough to content himself with a pure and sensible religion, worthy of the Deity.

Attributed A Thousand Flashes of French Wit, Wisdom, and Wickedness (1902)

Attribution

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