Voltaire Archives - World Quotations

Men argue, nature acts.

Men argue, nature acts.

You must have the devil in you to succeed in the arts.

Liberty, then, about which so many volumes have been written is, when accurately defined, only the power of acting.

I was never ruined but twice; once when I lost a lawsuit and once when I won one.

Originality is nothing but judicious plagiarism.

The punishment of criminals should serve a purpose. When a man is hanged he is useless.

Superstition is to religion what astrology is to astronomy; the mad daughter of a wise mother.

Weakness on both sides is, the motto of all quarrels.

Divorce is probably of nearly the same date as marriage. I believe, however, that marriage is some weeks the more ancient.

The true character of liberty is independence, maintained by force.

I should like to lie at your feet and die in your arms.

Anyone who seeks to destroy the passions instead of controlling them is trying to play the angel.