Voltaire

One day everything will be well, that is our hope. Everything is fine today, that is our illusion.

1767 — Letter to M. Damilaville

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The very idea of a God is the most sublime and profound of all ideas.

1764 — Philosophical Dictionary, 'God'

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The truest philosophy is to do good and to live in peace.

1768 — Letter to Madame du Deffand

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The ear is the avenue to the heart.

Uncertain, 18th century — Attributed, but no direct source found in his works.

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Every man is a creature of the age in which he lives, and few are able to raise themselves above the ideas of the times.

1751 — The Age of Louis XIV

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The greatest comfort of man in this life is the knowledge that he has done his duty.

1769 — Letter to Madame du Deffand

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He who thinks himself a philosopher, when he is only a fool, is in a very dangerous situation.

1764 — Philosophical Dictionary, 'Philosopher'

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

Uncertain, 18th century — Attributed, but no direct source found in his works. Likely a modern paraphrase.

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Madness is to think that a man can do whatever he wants.

1764 — Philosophical Dictionary, 'Liberty'

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The instruction we receive in our childhood is like the engraving on a stone, which time effaces but slowly.

1764 — Philosophical Dictionary, 'Education'

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The human species is the only one which knows that it must die, and it is the only one which laughs.

Uncertain, 18th century — Attributed, but no direct source found in his works. Likely a modern paraphrase or misattribution.

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The less one thinks, the more one talks.

1764 — Philosophical Dictionary, 'Eloquence'

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All men are born with a nose and five fingers, but no one is born with a knowledge of God.

1764 — Philosophical Dictionary, 'Religion'

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The comfort of the rich depends upon an abundant supply of the poor.

Uncertain, 18th century — Attributed, but precise source hard to pin down. Reflects his satirical views on social inequality.

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

1747 — Zadig

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To hold a pen is to be at war.

1766 — Letter to Jean le Rond d'Alembert

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What is tolerance? It is the prerogative of humanity. We are all full of weakness and errors; let us mutually pardon our follies.

1764 — Philosophical Dictionary, 'Tolerance'

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I die adoring God, loving my friends, not hating my enemies, and detesting superstition.

1778 — Last words, often reported, but exact phrasing varies. This is a common version.

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The public is a ferocious beast; one must chain it up or flee from it.

1770 — Letter to Madame du Deffand

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The most important thing for a good government is not to govern too much.

Uncertain, 18th century — Attributed, but no direct source found in his works. Reflects his general political philosophy.

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Sayings by Voltaire