Voltaire Quotes – 41 Inspirational Sayings From The French Philosopher

Looking for inspirational Voltaire quotes? Then you've come to the right place! Voltaire, whose real name was François-Marie Arouet, was a rebellious thinker and champion of reason and against religious fanaticism. Voltaire is one of the most widely read and influential authors of the Age of Enlightenment.

I would now like to share his most valuable wisdom, sayings and quotes with you. Let's go!

My please: Keep in mind that many of Voltaire's quotes have been translated. I cannot guarantee that it is the original quote in each case. Therefore, double check them and feel free to leave a corrective comment. If you like and share any of the quotes in the internet, please link this elaborately created collection. Thank you for your support!

41 valuable sayings and quotes by Voltaire

François-Marie Arouet was a notorious critic of the abuses of absolutism and the monopoly of the Catholic Church. This was another reason why he always lived dangerously with his opinion in 18th century France. But through his rebuke, he ultimately became one of the decisive Pioneer of the French Revolution. Use the following quotes and sayings by Voltaire, for example, as constant inspiration for love, enlightenment, freedom, happiness and health.

Voltaire quotes 1 - 10

1. "Time heals all wounds."
2. "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."
3. "Prejudice is the reason of fools."
4. "The secret of being boring is to say everything."
5. "Anyone who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
6. "He who restraints his desires is always rich."
7. "Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do."
8. "I have chosen to be happy because it is good for my health."
9. "One day everything will be well, that is our hope. Everything’s fine today, that is our illusion."
10. "What is tolerance? It is the consequence of humanity. We are all formed of frailty and error; let us pardon reciprocally each other's folly - that is the first law of nature."

Tip: I have also given you a Collection of sayings about tolerance compiled. Feel free to look in there as well!

Voltaire quotes 11 - 20

11. "God is a comedian playing to an audience that is too afraid to laugh."
12. "Habit, custom and tradition are stronger than truth."
13. "Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe."
14. "Everyone tries to get forward in the world on their own way."
15. "This self-love is the instrument of our preservation."
16. "Wherever my travels may lead, paradise is where I am."
17. "If you want to know who rules over you, just look for who you are not allowed to criticize."
18. "Change your pleasures, but not your friends."
19. "All people are smart - some before, others after."
20. "It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong."

Voltaire quotes 21 - 30

21. "Reading nurtures the soul, and an enlightened friend brings it solace."
22. "Nothing is more dangerous in the world than greatness."
23. "Chance is a word void of sense; nothing can exist without a cause."
24. "It is better to risk saving a guilty man than to condemn an innocent one."
25. "Trying to be reasonable in an insane world is insanity in itself."
26. "A long dispute means both parties are wrong."
27. "The infinitely small have a pride infinitely great."
28. "Dare to think for yourself."
29. "All is for the best in the best of possible worlds."
30. "It is hard to free fools from the chains they revere."

Voltaire quotes 31 - 41

31. "I know many books which have bored their readers, but I know of none which has done real evil."
32. "The heart has its own reasons that reason can't understand."
33. "Love truth, but pardon error."
34. "Man is born without principles, but with the ability to absorb them all."
35. "Fate will have its reasons."
36. "Sir, I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write."
37. "Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world."
38. "‎Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats."
39. "Fighting a myth is difficult."
40. "Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too."
41. "The more a man knows, the less he talks."

Can you think of any other Voltaire quotes that should definitely be included here? Then I look forward to your comment!

Who was Voltaire?

Voltaire (real name: François-Marie Arouet) was a French philosopher and author who lived in the 18th century and is considered one of the best-known and most widely read authors of the Enlightenment period.

What did Voltaire stand for?

Voltaire is considered one of the most important pioneers of the French Revolution - above all because he criticized the abuses of absolutism and the ideological monopoly of the Catholic Church. He advocated the equality of all citizens before the law and, in his role as an Enlightenment philosopher, promoted above all reason and the dismantling of prejudice, arbitrary rule and superstition.

Which works by Voltaire should you read?

Voltaire wrote over 750 works in his lifetime and became famous throughout Europe for his wit and sarcasm, which he used against social grievances and personal adversaries. His works "Fanaticism or Mohammed" (1741), "Philosophical Pocket Dictionary" (1764), "The Age of Louis XIV" (1766), "Candide or Optimism" (1759), "L'ingénu" (1767) and "The Princess of Babylon" (1768) are particularly well worth reading.

Using Voltaire's most valuable wisdom as a constant source of inspiration

It is not without reason that Voltaire is one of the most important philosophers and writers in history. I hope I have been able to inspire you with this list of his most important quotes.

Finally, I would like to recommend some further articles that fit in with Voltaire's values and can help you personally:

• Good deeds in everyday life
• Living Minimalist - How it Works
• Habits of millionaires that you should copy
• Why it is important to read books

You have questions or more exciting quotes from Voltaire? Then, as always, feel free to write me a comment!

Stay inspired,

PS.: In the Quotes blog you will find hundreds of other exciting sayings and proverbs. For example, you can now read the best Quotes about habits an.