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The greatest men of a nation are often those whom it puts to death.

— Ernest Renan Vie de Jésus (The Life of Jesus) (1863)

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More quotes by Ernest Renan

In morals, truth is but little prized when it is a mere sentiment, and only attains its full value when realized in the world as fact.

Vie de Jésus (The Life of Jesus) (1863)

Communism is in conflict with human nature.

It has become a hackneyed truth by now to say that the world is governed by ideas.

The Future of Science (1890)

"Endeavour to be beautiful, and then do at every moment that with which your heart will inspire you;" that is morality in a nutshell.

The Future of Science (1890)

All the great deeds of humanity have been accomplished in the name of absolute principles.

Vie de Jésus (The Life of Jesus) (1863)

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Ernest Renan (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.