It is not known precisely where angels dwell—whether in the air, the void, or the planets. It has not been God’s pleasure that we should be informed of their abode.
—Voltaire
Topics: Angels
In this country it’s a good thing to kill an admiral now and then to encourage the others.
—Voltaire
Topics: Navy, Army
The infinitely little have a pride infinitely great.
—Voltaire
Topics: Pride
Work spares us from three great evils: boredom, vice and need.
—Voltaire
Topics: Work
If you wish to converse with me, define your terms
—Voltaire
Topics: Communication
Labor rids us of three great evils—irksomeness, vice, and poverty.
—Voltaire
Topics: Labor
You must have the devil in you to succeed in the arts.
—Voltaire
Topics: Evil
The world embarrasses me, and I cannot dream that this watch exists and has no watchmaker.
—Voltaire
Topics: Creation
Complacency is a coin by the aid of which all the world can, for want of essential means, pay its club bill in society.—It is necessary, however, that it may lose nothing of its merits, to associate judgment and prudence with it.
—Voltaire
The superfluous is very necessary.
—Voltaire
Topics: Necessity
The progress of rivers to the ocean is not so rapid as that of man to error.
—Voltaire
Topics: Failures, Mistakes
The secret of making one’s self tiresome, is, not to know when to stop.
—Voltaire
Topics: Bores
The multiplicity of facts and writings is become so great that everything must soon be reduced to extracts.
—Voltaire
Topics: Quotations
Everything is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.
—Voltaire
Topics: World
Nothing is so common as to imitate one’s enemies, and to use their weapons.
—Voltaire
Topics: Enemy
Paradise is Where I Am.
—Voltaire
Topics: Serenity
One of the chief misfortunes of honest people is that they are cowardly.
—Voltaire
Topics: Coward, Cowardice
All men are born with a nose and ten fingers, but no one was born with a knowledge of God.
—Voltaire
Topics: God
Better is the enemy of good.
—Voltaire
Topics: Acceptance, Realistic Expectations
History is filled with the sound of silken slippers going downstairs and wooden shoes coming up.
—Voltaire
Topics: History
If there were only one religion in England there would be danger of despotism, if there were two, they would cut each other’s throats, but there are thirty, and they live in peace and happiness.
—Voltaire
Marriage is the only adventure open to the cowardly.
—Voltaire
Topics: Adventure, Marriage
Opinion has caused more trouble on this little earth than plagues or earthquakes.
—Voltaire
Topics: Trouble
I do not like heroes; they make too much noise in the world. The more radiant their glory, the more odious they are.
—Voltaire
Topics: Bravery, Heroes
Time, which alone makes the reputation of men, ends by making their defects respectable.
—Voltaire
Topics: Virtue, Vice
We never live; we are always in the expectation of living.
—Voltaire
Topics: Live, Living, Life, Expectations
Use, do not abuse; neither abstinence nor excess ever renders man happy.
—Voltaire
All styles are good except the boring kind.
—Voltaire
I advise you to go on living solely to enrage those who are paying your annuities. It is the only pleasure I have left.
—Voltaire
Topics: Retirement
My life is a battle.
—Voltaire
Topics: Nature, Life
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Denis Diderot French Philosopher, Writer
- Victor Hugo French Novelist
- Jean-Paul Sartre French Philosopher
- Jean Cocteau French Poet, Artist
- Simone de Beauvoir French Philosopher
- Michel Foucault French Philosopher
- Anatole France French Novelist
- Albert Camus Algerian-born French Philosopher
- Octave Mirbeau French Author
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau French Philosopher
Leave a Reply