Prejudices are what fools use for reason.
VoltaireRead
In every author let us distinguish the man from his works.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Recognize the distinction between an author's personal character and the content of their work.
Voltaire's quote emphasizes the importance of separating the creator from their creations. It suggests that while an author may have personal flaws or controversial views, this should not detract from the value or quality of their literary works. Understanding this distinction allows readers to engage with the text itself rather than be influenced solely by the author's character or personal life.
Themes
AuthorWorksDistinctionLiteratureCharacter
In practice
Example use cases
In a literary discussion about a controversial author, one might quote Voltaire to remind others to focus on the literature rather than the author's personal life.
More from Voltaire
All quotes βHe was a great patriot, a humanitarian, a loyal friend; provided, of course, he really is dead.
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It is dangerous to be right in matters where established men are wrong.
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It is not sufficient to see and to know the beauty of a work. We must feel and be affected by it.
VoltaireRead
We are all full of weakness and errors; let us mutually pardon each other our follies - it is the first law of nature.
VoltaireRead
It is better to risk saving a guilty man than to condemn an innocent one.
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We have more and more ways to communicate, as Thoreau noted, but less and less to say.
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