Denis Diderot Quotes

Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.
Denis Diderot

Government, Free, Last

Quote

Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things.
Denis Diderot

Great, Soul, Elevate

You have to make it happen.
Denis Diderot

We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter.
Denis Diderot

Truth, Lie, Find

There 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 Diderot

Nature, Knowledge, Means

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

Faith, Good, Hurt

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

Religion, Society, True

The best doctor is the one you run to and can't find.
Denis Diderot

Medical, Best, Find

When science, art, literature, and philosophy are simply the manifestation of personality they are on a level where glorious and dazzling achievements are possible, which can make a man's name live for thousands of years.
Denis Diderot

Art, Science, Live

All abstract sciences are nothing but the study of relations between signs.
Denis Diderot

Nothing, Study, Between

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.
Denis Diderot

Great, Priest, Priests

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

Change, Greatest, Times

From fanaticism to barbarism is only one step.
Denis Diderot

Step, Fanaticism, Barbarism

It is very important not to mistake hemlock for parsley, but to believe or not believe in God is not important at all.
Denis Diderot

God, Important, Mistake

To attempt the destruction of our passions is the height of folly. What a noble aim is that of the zealot who tortures himself like a madman in order to desire nothing, love nothing, feel nothing, and who, if he succeeded, would end up a complete monster!
Denis Diderot

Love, End, Nothing

The infant runs toward it with its eyes closed, the adult is stationary, the old man approaches it with his back turned.
Denis Diderot

Eyes, Old, Toward

No man has received from nature the right to command his fellow human beings.
Denis Diderot

Nature, Human, Fellow

Watch out for the fellow who talks about putting things in order! Putting things in order always means getting other people under your control.
Denis Diderot

Control, Getting, Means

Good music is very close to primitive language.
Denis Diderot

Music, Good, Language

Every man has his dignity. I'm willing to forget mine, but at my own discretion and not when someone else tells me to.
Denis Diderot

Forget, Someone, Else

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

Great, Respect, Thief

The blood of Jesus Christ can cover a multitude of sins, it seems to me.
Denis Diderot

Jesus, Blood, Seems

The general interest of the masses might take the place of the insight of genius if it were allowed freedom of action.
Denis Diderot

Freedom, Place, Action

The pit of a theatre is the one place where the tears of virtuous and wicked men alike are mingled.
Denis Diderot

Men, Place, Theatre

The 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 Diderot

Marriage, Help, Divorce

Share with your Friends

Everyone likes a good quote - don't forget to share.

Biography

Nationality: French

Type: Editor

Born: October 5, 1713

Died: July 31, 1784

Links

Find on Amazon: Denis Diderot

Cite this Page: Citation

Popular Topics

Friendship Quotes

Motivational Quotes

Inspirational Quotes

Related Authors

George Jean Nathan
Diana Vreeland
Jon Meacham
William Allen White
Horace Greeley
George Matthew Adams
Helen Gurley Brown

Get Social with BrainyQuote

BrainyQuote Desktop

BrainyQuote Mobile

Site

Quote of the Day

Social

BQ on Pinterest

Syndication

Funny Quote Feed

Love Quote Feed

Nature Quote Feed

About Us