Voltaire Quotes

French - Writer | November 21, 1694 - May 30, 1778

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

Voltaire

GodPrayerShortRidiculousNever

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

Voltaire

WarNumbersSoundLargeForbidden

Anyone who seeks to destroy the passions instead of controlling them is trying to play the angel.

Voltaire

AngelTryingPlayDestroyPassions

The progress of rivers to the ocean is not so rapid as that of man to error.

Voltaire

OceanProgressManErrorRivers

Of all religions, the Christian should of course inspire the most tolerance, but until now Christians have been the most intolerant of all men.

Voltaire

MenInspireToleranceChristianNow

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

Voltaire

PityExquisiteIce-CreamIllegal

If God created us in his own image, we have more than reciprocated.

Voltaire

GodMoreImageOwnUsThan

This self-love is the instrument of our preservation; it resembles the provision for the perpetuity of mankind: it is necessary, it is dear to us, it gives us pleasure, and we must conceal it.

Voltaire

Self-LovePleasurePreservationUs

The best government is a benevolent tyranny tempered by an occasional assassination.

Voltaire

BestGovernmentTyrannyAssassination

It is lamentable, that to be a good patriot one must become the enemy of the rest of mankind.

Voltaire

GoodPatriotismRestEnemyBecome

Originality is nothing but judicious imitation. The most original writers borrowed one from another.

Voltaire

NothingImitationOriginalityMost

The mouth obeys poorly when the heart murmurs.

Voltaire

HeartMouthPoorly

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