We swallow with one gulp the lie that flatters us, and drink drop by drop the truth which is bitter to us.
DENIS DIDEROTWe swallow with one gulp the lie that flatters us, and drink drop by drop the truth which is bitter to us.
DENIS DIDEROTMy ideas are my whores.
DENIS DIDEROTThe Christian religion teaches us to imitate a God that is cruel, insidious, jealous, and implacable in his wrath.
DENIS DIDEROTGood music is very close to primitive language.
DENIS DIDEROTThere is only one duty; that is to be happy.
DENIS DIDEROTMankind have banned the Divinity from their presence; they have relegated him to a sanctuary; the walls of the temple restrict his view; he does not exist outside of it.
DENIS DIDEROTThere are three principal means of acquiring knowledge, observation of nature, reflection, and experimentation. Observation collects facts; reflection combines them; experimentation verifies the result of that combination.
DENIS DIDEROTScepticism is the first step toward truth.
DENIS DIDEROTThe God of the Christians is a father who makes much of his apples, and very little of his children.
DENIS DIDEROTThe philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.
DENIS DIDEROTThere is no true sovereign except the nation; there can be no true legislator except the people.
DENIS DIDEROTGive, but, if possible, spare the poor man the shame of begging.
DENIS DIDEROTEvery man has his dignity. I’m willing to forget mine, but at my own discretion and not when someone else tells me to.
DENIS DIDEROTThe possibility of divorce renders both marriage partners stricter in their observance of the duties they owe to each other. Divorces help to improve morals and to increase the population.
DENIS DIDEROTTime, matter, space – all, it may be, are no more than a point.
DENIS DIDEROTIt has been said that love robs those who have it of their wit, and gives it to those who have none.
DENIS DIDEROT