35 Quotes By Denis Diderot


When superstition is allowed to perform the task of old age in dulling the human temperament, we can say goodbye to all excellence in poetry, in painting, and in music.
Denis Diderot on age

Genius is present in every age, but the men carrying it within them remain benumbed unless extraordinary events occur to heat up and melt the mass so that it flows forth.
Denis Diderot on age

When science, art, literature, and philosophy are simply the manifestation of personality they are on a level where glorious and dazzling achievements are possible, which can make a man's name live for thousands of years.
Denis Diderot on art

The best doctor is the one you run to and can't find.
Denis Diderot on best

There are things I can't force. I must adjust. There are times when the greatest change needed is a change of my viewpoint.
Denis Diderot on change

People praise virtue, but they hate it, they run away from it. It freezes you to death, and in this world you've got to keep your feet warm.
Denis Diderot on death

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.
Denis Diderot on faith

The general interest of the masses might take the place of the insight of genius if it were allowed freedom of action.
Denis Diderot on freedom

Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.
Denis Diderot on government

Morals are in all countries the result of legislation and government they are not African or Asian or European: they are good or bad.
Denis Diderot on government

Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things.
Denis Diderot on great

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.
Denis Diderot on great

There is only one passion, the passion for happiness.
Denis Diderot on happiness

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.
Denis Diderot on knowledge

The possibility of divorce renders both marriage partners stricter in their observance of the duties they owe to each other. Divorces help to improve morals and to increase the population.
Denis Diderot on marriage

The best doctor is the one you run to and can't find.
Denis Diderot on medical

Good music is very close to primitive language.
Denis Diderot on music

When superstition is allowed to perform the task of old age in dulling the human temperament, we can say goodbye to all excellence in poetry, in painting, and in music.
Denis Diderot on music

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.
Denis Diderot on nature

No man has received from nature the right to command his fellow human beings.
Denis Diderot on nature