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.
Interpretation
True holiness is defined by one's character and actions rather than outward appearance or material wealth.
This quote by Denis Diderot emphasizes that true virtue and holiness come from within a person, rather than their superficial attributes such as clothing or wealth. A person who is peaceful, kind, self-controlled, and compassionate embodies true goodness and sanctity, highlighting the importance of moral integrity over material possessions.
In practice
During a seminar on ethics, one might quote Diderot to illustrate that true virtue lies in one’s actions.
The arbitrary rule of a just and enlightened prince is always bad. His virtues are the most dangerous and the surest form of seduction: they lull a people imperceptibly into the habit of loving, respecting, and serving his successor, whoever that successor may be, no matter how wicked or stupid.
This root [the potato], no matter how much you prepare it, is tasteless and floury. It cannot pass for an agreeable food, but it supplies a food sufficiently abundant and sufficiently healthy for men who ask only to sustain themselves. The potato is criticized with reason for being windy, but what matters windiness for the vigorous organisms of peasants and laborers?
Do you see this egg? With this you can topple every theological theory, every church or temple in the world.
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.
In order to get as much fame as one's father one has to much more able than he.
All abstract sciences are nothing but the study of relations between signs.
A lady asked Dr. Franklin Well Doctor what have we got a republic or a monarchy - "A republic," replied the Doctor, "if you can keep it."
I have my own soul. My own spark of divine fire.
The least of things with a meaning is worth more in life than the greatest of things without it.
We say that slavery has vanished from European civilization, but this is not true. Slavery still exists, but now it applies only to women and its name is prostitution.
How do we see physically? No differently that we do in our consciousness - by means of the productive power of imagination. Consciousness is the eye and ear, the sense for inner and outer meaning.
In the depth of the anxiety of having to die is the anxiety of being eternally forgotten.
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