Christianity is an old metaphysical fiction, stuffed with fables, contradictions and absurdities: it was spawned in the fevered imagination of the Or….

The more I see of men, the better I like my dog..

It is pardonable to be defeated, but never to be surprised..

If soldiers were to begin to think, not one of them would remain in the army..

Great advantage is drawn from knowledge of your adversary, and when you know the measure of his intelligence and character, you can use it to play on….

If I wished to punish a province, I would have it governed by philosophers..

Theologians are all alike, of whatever religion or country they may be; their aim is always to wield despotic authority over men's consciences; they ….

I am up and about when I am ill, and in the most appalling weather. I am on horseback when other men would be flat out on their beds, complaining. We….

All religions must be tolerated ... every man must go to heaven in his own way. [Die Religionen müssen alle toleriert werden ... denn hier muss ein j….

It is disgusting to notice the increase in the quantity of coffee used by my subjects, and the amount of money that goes out of the country as a cons….

Little minds try to defend everything at once, but sensible people look at the main point only; they parry the worst blows and stand a little hurt if….

A man, who can, in cold blood, hunt and torture a poor, innocent animal, cannot feel much compassion for the distress of his own species..

Diplomacy without military might is like music without instruments..

No government can exist without taxation. The money must necessarily be levied on the people; and the grand art consists of levying so as not to oppr….

Artillery adds dignity, to what would otherwise be an ugly brawl..

A man with his heart in his profession imagines and finds resources where the worthless and lazy despair..

The greatest and noblest pleasure which we have in this world is to discover new truths, and the next is to shake off old prejudices..

The people say what they like and then I do what I like.

Great things are achieved only when we take great risks..

Man is made for error; it enters his mind naturally, and he discovers a few truths only with the greatest effort..

A crown is merely a hat that lets the rain in..