French - Editor | October 5, 1713 - July 31, 1784
Disturbances in society are never more fearful than when those who are stirring up the trouble can use the pretext of religion to mask their true designs.
Denis Diderot
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Evil always turns up in this world through some genius or other.
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Skepticism is the first step on the road to philosophy.
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There is only one passion, the passion for happiness.
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Watch out for the fellow who talks about putting things in order! Putting things in order always means getting other people under your control.
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It is said that desire is a product of the will, but the converse is in fact true: will is a product of desire.
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Although 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.
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The general interest of the masses might take the place of the insight of genius if it were allowed freedom of action.
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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.
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If there is one realm in which it is essential to be sublime, it is in wickedness. You spit on a petty thief, but you can't deny a kind of respect for the great criminal.
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Justice is the first virtue of those who command, and stops the complaints of those who obey.
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The decisions of law courts should never be printed: in the long run, they form a counter authority to the law.
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