Voltaire

Anyone who seeks to destroy the passions instead of controlling them is trying to play the angel.

Injustice in the end produces independence.

It is vain for the coward to flee; death follows close behind; it is only by defying it that the brave escape.

The Holy Roman Empire is neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire.

The true triumph of reason is that it enables us to get along with those who do not possess it.

Opinion has caused more trouble on this little earth than plagues or earthquakes.

The husband who decides to surprise his wife is often very much surprised himself.

All the reasonings of men are not worth one sentiment of women.

It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.

A minister of state is excusable for the harm he does when the helm of government has forced his hand in a storm; but in the calm he is guilty of all the good he does not do.

In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one class of citizens to give to another.

Quand celui à qui l'on parle ne comprend pas et celui qui parle ne se comprend pas, c'est de la métaphysique When he to whom a person speaks does not understand, and he who speaks does not understand himself, that is metaphysics.

Let us confess it: evil strides the world.

Descartes constructed as noble a road of science, from the point at which he found geometry to that to which he carried it, as Newton himself did after him. ... He carried this spirit of geometry and invention into optics, which under him became a completely new art.

The best way to be boring is to include everything.

Secret griefs are more cruel than public calamities.

You are very harsh.' 'I have seen the world.

What a pessimist you are!" exclaimed Candide. "That is because I know what life is," said Martin.

For can anything be sillier than to insist on carrying a burden one would continually much rather throw to the ground?

I have chosen to be happy because it is goo for my health.

Wherever my travels may lead, paradise is where I am.