45 Voltaire Quotes On Freedom Of Speech, Religion, Government

François-Marie Arouet, known by his nom de plume Voltaire, was a French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher famous for his wit, his criticism of Christianity, especially the Roman Catholic Church, as well as his advocacy of freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state. These Voltaire quotes on freedom of speech, religion, the government will motivate you in life.

Best Voltaire Quotes

1. “If you want to know who controls you, look at who you are not allowed to criticize.” ~ Voltaire
2. “If there’s life on other planets, then the earth is the Universe’s insane asylum.” ~ Voltaire
3. “The more often a stupidity is repeated, the more it gets the appearance of wisdom.” ~ Voltaire
4. “So long as the people do not care to exercise their freedom, those who wish to tyrannize will do so; for tyrants are active and ardent, and will devote themselves in the name of any number of gods, religious and otherwise, to put shackles upon sleeping men.” ~ Voltaire
5. “It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere.” ~ Voltaire
6. “Anyone who has the power to make you believe absurdities has the power to make you commit injustices.” ~ Voltaire

7. “The most important decision you make is to be in a good mood.” ~ Voltaire

8. “The mirror is a worthless invention. The only way to truly see yourself is in the reflection of someone else’s eyes.” ~ Voltaire
9. “The right to free speech is more important than the content of the speech.” ~ Voltaire
10. “The happiest of all lives is a busy solitude.” ~ Voltaire
11. “In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one class of citizens to give to another.” ~ Voltaire
12. “Many are destined to reason wrongly; others, not to reason at all; and others, to persecute those who do reason.” ~ Voltaire
13. “It is dangerous to be right in matters where established men are wrong.” ~ Voltaire
14. “Give me the patience for the small things of life, courage for the great trials of life. Help me to do my best each day and then go to sleep knowing God is awake.” ~ Voltaire

15. “The comfort of the rich depends upon an abundant supply of the poor.” ~ Voltaire

16. “The more a man knows, the less he talks.” ~ Voltaire
17. “Dare to think for yourself.” ~ Voltaire
18. “Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.” ~ Voltaire
19. “To really enjoy pleasures, you must know how to leave them.” ~ Voltaire
20. “Doctors put drugs of which they know little into bodies of which they know less for diseases of which they know nothing at all.” ~ Voltaire
21. “Common sense is not so common.” ~ Voltaire

22. “There can be no happiness without good health” ~ Voltaire

23. “Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value – zero.” ~ Voltaire
24. “No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking.” ~ Voltaire
25. “I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: ‘O Lord make my enemies ridiculous.’ And God granted it.” ~ Voltaire
26. “All the reasonings of men are not worth one sentiment of women.” ~ Voltaire
27. “Every man can educate himself. It’s shameful to put one’s mind into the hands of those whom you wouldn’t entrust with your money. Dare to think for yourself.” ~ Voltaire
28. “Democracy is just a filler for textbooks! Do you actually believe that public opinion influences the government?” ~ Voltaire, Voltaire quotes on government
29. “A long dispute means both parties are wrong.” ~ Voltaire

30. “The only way to comprehend what mathematicians mean by Infinity is to contemplate the extent of human stupidity.” ~ Voltaire

31. “The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing.” ~ Voltaire
32. “The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us” ~ Voltaire
33. “‎Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.” ~ Voltaire
34. “Dont think money does everything or you are going to end up doing everything for money.” ~ Voltaire
35. “Beware of the words “internal security,” for they are the eternal cry of the oppressor.” ~ Voltaire
36. “What is history? The lie that everyone agrees on.” ~ Voltaire
37. “Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her: but once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game.” ~ Voltaire

38. “Prejudices are what fools use for reason.” ~ Voltaire

39. “Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion that has ever infected the world.” ~ Voltaire, Voltaire quotes on religion
40. “If one does not reflect, one thinks oneself master of everything; but when one does reflect, one realizes that one is master of nothing.” ~ Voltaire
41. “Cherish those who seek the truth but beware of those who find it.” ~ Voltaire
42. “I cannot imagine how the clockwork of the universe can exist without a clockmaker.” ~ Voltaire
43. “It is not inequality which is the real misfortune, it is dependence.” ~ Voltaire
44. “We are all guilty of the good we did not do” ~ Voltaire
45. “It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.” ~ Voltaire

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