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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

“Integrity is the evidence of all civil virtues.”

Virtue Integrity Evidence

Author:Denis Diderot

“I am more affected by the attractions of virtue than by the deformities of vice; I turn gently away from the wicked and I fly to meet the good. If there is in a literary work, in a character, in a picture, in a statue, a beautiful spot, that is where my eyes rest; I see only that, I remember only that, all the rest is well-nigh forgotten. What becomes of me when the whole work is beautiful!”

Ifs Wells Whole Character Eye Beautiful Remember Turns Virtue Atheism Forgotten Vices Positive Atheism Attraction Spots Wicked Affected Statues Deformity Literary Works

Author:Denis Diderot

“It seems to me that if one had kept silence up to now regarding religion, people would still be submerged in the most grotesque and dangerous superstition ... regarding government, we would still be groaning under the bonds of feudal government ... regarding morals, we would still be having to learn what is virtue and what is vice. To forbid all these discussions, the only ones worthy of occupying a good mind, is to perpetuate the reign of ignorance and barbarism.”

“There is only one virtue, justice; only one duty, to be happy; only one corollary, not to overvalue life and not to fear death.”

Justice Virtue Atheism Duty Positive Atheism Fear Of Death

Author:Denis Diderot

“In any country where talent and virtue produce no advancement, money will be the national god. Its inhabitants will either have to possess money or make others believe that they do. Wealth will be the highest virtue, poverty the greatest vice.”

Believe Country Wealth Poverty Virtue Talent Produce Highest Vices Advancement

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

“Justice is the first virtue of those who command, and stops the complaints of those who obey.”

Firsts Literature Justice Virtue Command Complaints

Author:Denis Diderot

“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.”

People World Running Death Hate Literature Virtue Feet This World Praise Warm Running Away Freeze Hate People

Book:Selected Writings

Source: Selected Writings

“We are far more liable to catch the vices than the virtues of our associates.”

Inspirational Virtue Standards Vices Associates Liable Dealing With People

Author:Denis Diderot

“Only passions, and great passions, can raise the soul to great things. Without them there is no sublimity, either in morals or in creativity. Art returns to infancy, and virtue becomes small-minded.”

Art Soul Passion Moral Creativity Virtue Return Raises Great Things Infancy Great Passion Sublimity

Author:Denis Diderot