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99 Top Voltaire Quotes That Will Broaden Your Horizon

Famous As: French Historian and Philosopher Known for His Wit and His Pointed Social Critique
Born On: 1694
Died On: 1778
Born In: Paris, France
Died At Age: 83
Historian, Philosopher and one of the greatest French Enlightenment writers, Voltaire is famous for his satirical novel Candide, tragic plays Zaire, Nanine, Mahomet, historical works Essay on the Customs and the Spirit of the Nations, The age of Louise XIV and philosophical compilation Micromegas and Plato’s Dream. He showed his literary talents in diverse fields. An alumni of Jesuit Secondary School (Paris), Voltaire received his classical education at College Louis le Grand, where he started his career as an author. At odds with the French authorities due to his political publication “Letters on the English”, he had to flee to safer pastures. He angered both the government and the church for which, he spent fifteen years in exile and was twice imprisoned. Despite these hardships, Voltaire acquired a unique approach towards arts and social history by tracing the progression of ancient and modern world civilizations. While at Prussia, he served Frederick the Great’s court. Paris witnessed his homecoming in 1778 for his contemporary thinking. His encyclopedic dictionary ‘Dictionnaire Philosophique’ rejected the Roman Catholic Church and embraced Enlightenment’s progressive ideals, for which, he’s appreciated all over the world. Voltaire’s life taught us a valuable lesson on condemning baseless practices and thinking out of the box. Voltaire's intelligence and wit is still commended by many, which makes him one of the greatest French writers and philosophers. He was a prolific writer and attracted controversies due to his thoughts and views about social reforms. His thoughts and words were so iconic and became very famous quotes. We have excerpted Voltaire’s greatest quotes from his work, thoughts and general life observations. Presenting a collection of quotes by Voltaire, one of the greatest philosophers and thinkers.
Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.

Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.

Voltaire
Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.

Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.

Voltaire
‎Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.

‎Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.

Voltaire
It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.

It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.

Voltaire
The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing.

The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing.

Voltaire
Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.

Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.

Voltaire
Common sense is not so common.

Common sense is not so common.

Voltaire
Love truth, but pardon error.

Love truth, but pardon error.

Voltaire
I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: Oh Lord, make my enemies ridiculous. And God granted it.

I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: Oh Lord, make my enemies ridiculous. And God granted it." (Letter to Étienne Noël Damilaville, May 16, 1767)

Voltaire
I don’t know where I am going, but I am on my way.

I don’t know where I am going, but I am on my way.

Voltaire
God is a comedian playing to an audience that is too afraid to laugh.

God is a comedian playing to an audience that is too afraid to laugh.

Voltaire
Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do.

Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do.

Voltaire
Dare to think for yourself.

Dare to think for yourself.

Voltaire
Despite the enormous quantity of books, how few people read! And if one reads profitably, one would realize how much stupid stuff the vulgar herd is content to swallow every day.

Despite the enormous quantity of books, how few people read! And if one reads profitably, one would realize how much stupid stuff the vulgar herd is content to swallow every day.

Voltaire
Now, now my good man, this is no time to be making enemies.

Now, now my good man, this is no time to be making enemies." (Voltaire on his deathbed in response to a priest asking him that he renounce Satan.)

Voltaire
Fools have a habit of believing that everything written by a famous author is admirable. For my part I read only to please myself and like only what suits my taste.

Fools have a habit of believing that everything written by a famous author is admirable. For my part I read only to please myself and like only what suits my taste.

Voltaire
God is a circle whose center is everywhere and circumference nowhere.

God is a circle whose center is everywhere and circumference nowhere.

Voltaire
It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.

It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.

Voltaire
The most important decision you make is to be in a good mood.

The most important decision you make is to be in a good mood.

Voltaire
Doubt is an uncomfortable condition, but certainty is a ridiculous one.

Doubt is an uncomfortable condition, but certainty is a ridiculous one.

Voltaire
The secret of being a bore is to tell everything.

The secret of being a bore is to tell everything.

Voltaire
It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one.

It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one.

Voltaire
Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too.

Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too.

Voltaire
Faith consists in believing what reason cannot.

Faith consists in believing what reason cannot.

Voltaire
Cherish those who seek the truth but beware of those who find it.

Cherish those who seek the truth but beware of those who find it.

Voltaire
Ice-cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal.

Ice-cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal.

Voltaire
Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.

Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.

Voltaire
Our wretched species is so made that those who walk on the well-trodden path always throw stones at those who are showing a new road.

Our wretched species is so made that those who walk on the well-trodden path always throw stones at those who are showing a new road.

Voltaire
If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.

If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.

Voltaire
The human brain is a complex organ with the wonderful power of enabling man to find reasons for continuing to believe whatever it is that he wants to believe.

The human brain is a complex organ with the wonderful power of enabling man to find reasons for continuing to believe whatever it is that he wants to believe.

Voltaire