Power acquired by violence is only a usurpation, and lasts only as long as the force of him who commands prevails over that of those who obey.
DENIS DIDEROTPower acquired by violence is only a usurpation, and lasts only as long as the force of him who commands prevails over that of those who obey.
DENIS DIDEROTThe enjoyment of freedom which could be exercised without any motivation would be the real hallmark of a maniac.
DENIS DIDEROTI discuss with myself questions of politics, love, taste, or philosophy. I let my mind rove wantonly, give it free rein to followany idea, wise or mad that may present itself. My ideas are my harlots.
DENIS DIDEROTAlthough a man may wear fine clothing, if he lives peacefully; and is good, self-possessed, has faith and is pure; and if he does not hurt any living being, he is a holy man.
DENIS DIDEROTIf there are one hundred thousand damned souls for one saved soul, the devil has always the advantage without having given up his son to death.
DENIS DIDEROTWhich is the greater merit, to enlighten the human race, which remains forever, or to save one’s fatherland, which is perishable?
DENIS DIDEROTIn order to get as much fame as one’s father one has to much more able than he.
DENIS DIDEROTA nation which thinks that it is belief in God and not good law which makes people honest does not seem to me very advanced.
DENIS DIDEROTJacques said that his master said that everything good or evil we encounter here below was written on high.
DENIS DIDEROTThe best mannered people make the most absurd lovers.
DENIS DIDEROTOur observation of nature must be diligent, our reflection profound, and our experiments exact. We rarely see these three means combined; and for this reason, creative geniuses are not common.
DENIS DIDEROTOnly passions, great passions, can elevate the soul to great things.
DENIS DIDEROTIt has been said that love robs those who have it of their wit, and gives it to those who have none.
DENIS DIDEROTThere’s a bit of testicle at the bottom of our most sublime feelings and our purest tenderness.
DENIS DIDEROTWe are constantly railing against the passions; we ascribe to them all of man’s afflictions, and we forget that they are also the source of all his pleasures.
DENIS DIDEROTThere is no good father who would want to resemble our Heavenly Father.
DENIS DIDEROT