Welcome to our collection of Voltaire quotes! Voltaire, the renowned French philosopher, writer, and historian of the Enlightenment era, is known for his wit, wisdom, and sharp critique of society. His words have left an indelible mark on the world of literature and philosophy, inspiring generations with his thought-provoking insights. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, a touch of humor, or profound reflections on life, Voltaire’s quotes have something to offer for everyone.
Below, you will find a curated selection of Voltaire’s most notable quotes. Feel free to explore and utilize these quotes in your own way. Whether you wish to use them in your writings, share them with friends, or even create visually appealing images with stylish fonts, the wisdom of Voltaire is at your disposal. Discover the timeless wisdom and wit of this great thinker as you browse through his quotes on this page.
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. Voltaire
We are all full of weakness and errors; let us mutually pardon each other our follies – it is the first law of nature. Voltaire
Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd. Voltaire
I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: ‘O Lord make my enemies ridiculous.’ And God granted it. Voltaire
The little may contrast with the great, in painting, but cannot be said to be contrary to it. Oppositions of colors contrast; but there are also colors contrary to each other, that is, which produce an ill effect because they shock the eye when brought very near it. Voltaire
It is said that the present is pregnant with the future. Voltaire
Men hate the individual whom they call avaricious only because nothing can be gained from him. Voltaire
It is better to risk saving a guilty man than to condemn an innocent one. Voltaire
To believe in God is impossible not to believe in Him is absurd. Voltaire
Injustice in the end produces independence. Voltaire
One merit of poetry few persons will deny: it says more and in fewer words than prose. Voltaire
Very learned women are to be found, in the same manner as female warriors; but they are seldom or ever inventors. Voltaire
God is not on the side of the big battalions, but on the side of those who shoot best. Voltaire
God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well. Voltaire
Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity. Voltaire
Let us work without theorizing, tis the only way to make life endurable. Voltaire
It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere. Voltaire
When it is a question of money, everybody is of the same religion. Voltaire
Anyone who seeks to destroy the passions instead of controlling them is trying to play the angel. Voltaire
If God created us in his own image, we have more than reciprocated. Voltaire
The public is a ferocious beast; one must either chain it or flee from it. Voltaire
We must cultivate our own garden. When man was put in the garden of Eden he was put there so that he should work, which proves that man was not born to rest. Voltaire
Opinion has caused more trouble on this little earth than plagues or earthquakes. Voltaire
He must be very ignorant for he answers every question he is asked. Voltaire
He was a great patriot, a humanitarian, a loyal friend; provided, of course, he really is dead. Voltaire
One great use of words is to hide our thoughts. Voltaire
The progress of rivers to the ocean is not so rapid as that of man to error. Voltaire
All men are born with a nose and five fingers, but no one is born with a knowledge of God. Voltaire
What is tolerance? It is the consequence of humanity. We are all formed of frailty and error; let us pardon reciprocally each other’s folly – that is the first law of nature. Voltaire
By appreciation, we make excellence in others our own property. Voltaire
The infinitely little have a pride infinitely great. Voltaire
If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent Him. Voltaire
I should like to lie at your feet and die in your arms. Voltaire
This self-love is the instrument of our preservation; it resembles the provision for the perpetuity of mankind: it is necessary, it is dear to us, it gives us pleasure, and we must conceal it. Voltaire
Prejudices are what fools use for reason. Voltaire
Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe. Voltaire
History is only the register of crimes and misfortunes. Voltaire
The ancient Romans built their greatest masterpieces of architecture, their amphitheaters, for wild beasts to fight in. Voltaire
Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by imagination. Voltaire
In the case of news, we should always wait for the sacrament of confirmation. Voltaire
Of all religions, the Christian should of course inspire the most tolerance, but until now Christians have been the most intolerant of all men. Voltaire
It is lamentable, that to be a good patriot one must become the enemy of the rest of mankind. Voltaire
It is vain for the coward to flee; death follows close behind; it is only by defying it that the brave escape. Voltaire
Optimism is the madness of insisting that all is well when we are miserable. Voltaire
The husband who decides to surprise his wife is often very much surprised himself. Voltaire
Divorce is probably of nearly the same date as marriage. I believe, however, that marriage is some weeks the more ancient. Voltaire
Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too. Voltaire
Very often, say what you will, a knave is only a fool. Voltaire
Governments need to have both shepherds and butchers. Voltaire
The ear is the avenue to the heart. Voltaire
It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong. Voltaire
There are truths which are not for all men, nor for all times. Voltaire
Chance is a word void of sense; nothing can exist without a cause. Voltaire
All the reasonings of men are not worth one sentiment of women. Voltaire
The best is the enemy of the good. Voltaire
The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease. Voltaire
The safest course is to do nothing against one’s conscience. With this secret, we can enjoy life and have no fear from death. Voltaire
What a heavy burden is a name that has become too famous. Voltaire
Friendship is the marriage of the soul, and this marriage is liable to divorce. Voltaire
Perfection is attained by slow degrees; it requires the hand of time. Voltaire
The opportunity for doing mischief is found a hundred times a day, and of doing good once in a year. Voltaire
The superfluous, a very necessary thing. Voltaire
Common sense is not so common. Voltaire
Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers. Voltaire
Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do. Voltaire
Everything’s fine today, that is our illusion. Voltaire
Superstition is to religion what astrology is to astronomy the mad daughter of a wise mother. These daughters have too long dominated the earth. Voltaire
Better is the enemy of good. Voltaire
Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us. Voltaire
Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well. Voltaire
Originality is nothing but judicious imitation. The most original writers borrowed one from another. Voltaire
Tyrants have always some slight shade of virtue; they support the laws before destroying them. Voltaire
I am very fond of truth, but not at all of martyrdom. Voltaire
The best government is a benevolent tyranny tempered by an occasional assassination. Voltaire
Illusion is the first of all pleasures. Voltaire
To the living we owe respect, but to the dead we owe only the truth. Voltaire
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. Voltaire
Let the punishments of criminals be useful. A hanged man is good for nothing; a man condemned to public works still serves the country, and is a living lesson. 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
A witty saying proves nothing. Voltaire
Paradise was made for tender hearts; hell, for loveless hearts. Voltaire
Ice-cream is exquisite – what a pity it isn’t illegal. Voltaire
I have lived eighty years of life and know nothing for it, but to be resigned and tell myself that flies are born to be eaten by spiders and man to be devoured by sorrow. Voltaire
To succeed in the world it is not enough to be stupid, you must also be well-mannered. Voltaire
Fear follows crime and is its punishment. Voltaire
Who serves his country well has no need of ancestors. Voltaire
We have a natural right to make use of our pens as of our tongue, at our peril, risk and hazard. Voltaire
To hold a pen is to be at war. Voltaire
It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets. Voltaire
He is a hard man who is only just, and a sad one who is only wise. Voltaire
Men use thought only as authority for their injustice, and employ speech only to conceal their thoughts. Voltaire
The world embarrasses me, and I cannot dream that this watch exists and has no watchmaker. Voltaire
When he to whom one speaks does not understand, and he who speaks himself does not understand, that is metaphysics. Voltaire
It is not sufficient to see and to know the beauty of a work. We must feel and be affected by it. Voltaire
The mouth obeys poorly when the heart murmurs. Voltaire
No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking. Voltaire
I know many books which have bored their readers, but I know of none which has done real evil. Voltaire
Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her: but once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game. Voltaire
The Holy Roman Empire is neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire. Voltaire
My life is a struggle. Voltaire