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Denis Diderot Quotes

Philosopher

Denis Diderot was a French philosopher, art critic, and writer who played a pivotal role in the Enlightenment. He is best known for his work on the Encyclopédie, which aimed to compile all the knowledge of the time into a single work.

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Famous Denis Diderot Quotes

“One may demand of me that I should seek truth, but not that I should find it”

Should May Demand

Author:Denis Diderot

“I discuss with myself questions of politics, love, taste, or philosophy. I let my mind rove wantonly, give it free rein to followany idea, wise or mad that may present itself. My ideas are my harlots.”

Thinking Giving Mind May Ideas Philosophy Funny Wise Honesty Taste Mad Thoughtful Reins Harlots

Author:Denis Diderot

“Shakespeare's fault is not the greatest into which a poet may fall. It merely indicates a deficiency of taste.”

May Fall Poet Taste Faults Deficiency

Book:Selected Writings

Source: Selected Writings

“Time, matter, space - all, it may be, are no more than a point.”

May Matter Space

Author:Denis Diderot

“I am wholly yours - you are everything to me; we will sustain each other in all the ills of life it may please fate to inflict upon us; you will soothe my troubles; I will comfort you in yours.”

May Fate Trouble Comfort Please

Author:Denis Diderot

“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.”

People May Matter Form Virtue Dangerous Stupid Habit Wicked Enlightened Serving Seduction Arbitrary Successors Lulls

Book:Selected Writings

Source: Selected Writings

“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.”

Ifs Men May Doe Self Literature Hurt Fine Holy Pure Have Faith Clothings Possessed Holy Man

Author:Denis Diderot

“There is no kind of harassment that a man may not inflict on a woman with impunity in civilized societies.”

Men Kind May Literature Civilized Harassment Impunity Civilized Society

Book:Selected Writings

Source: Selected Writings