“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“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.”
Denis Diderot“Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.”
Denis Diderot“There are things I can't force. I must adjust. There are times when the greatest change needed is a change of my viewpoint.”
Denis Diderot“When superstition is allowed to perform the task of old age in dulling the human temperament, we can say goodbye to all excellence in poetry, in painting, and in music.”
Denis Diderot“Poetry must have something in it that is barbaric, vast and wild.”
Denis Diderot“Morals are in all countries the result of legislation and government they are not African or Asian or European: they are good or bad. ”
Denis Diderot“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.”
Denis Diderot“Patriotism is an ephemeral motive that scarcely ever outlasts the particular threat to society that aroused it.”
Denis Diderot“Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things.”
Denis Diderot