Denis Diderot Quotes

All things must be examined, debated, investigated without exception and without regard for anyone's feelings.

3052

I picture the vast realm of the sciences as an immense landscape scattered with patches of dark and light. The goal towards which we must work is either to extend the boundaries of the patches of light, or to increase their number. One of these tasks falls to the creative genius; the other requires a sort of sagacity combined with perfectionism.

1316

Do you see this egg? With this you can topple every theological theory, every church or temple in the world.

1516

Scepticism is the first step towards truth.

1721

One cannot get rid of a good education, nor, unfortunately, of a bad one, which often is such because one has not wanted to defray the expenses of a good one.

4453

Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.

3156

People stop thinking when they cease to read.

3479

One declaims endlessly against the passions; one imputes all of man's suffering to them. One forgets that they are also the source of all his pleasures.

1091

Only passions, great passions, can elevate the soul to great things.

4931

The most dangerous madmen are those created by religion, and ... people whose aim is to disrupt society always know how to make good use of them on occasion.

1335