Voltaire - Thought Quotes

10 Sourced Quotes

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Virtue supposes liberty, as the carrying of a burden supposes active force. Under coercion there is no virtue, and without virtue there is no religion. Make a slave of me, and I shall be no better for it. Even the sovereign has no right to use coercion to lead men to religion, which by its nature supposes choice and liberty. My thought is no more subject to authority than is sickness or health.

Voltaire
[Men] use thought only to justify their injustices, and speech only to conceal their thoughts.

Voltaire
Thought depends absolutely on the stomach, but in spite of that, those who have the best stomachs are not the best thinkers.

Voltaire
A flowery discourse is more replete with agreeable than with strong thoughts, with images more sparkling than sublime, and terms more curious than forcible. This metaphor is correctly taken from flowers, which are showy without strength or stability. This metaphor is correctly taken from flowers, which are showy without strength or stability.

Voltaire
Liberty of thought is the life of the soul.

Voltaire
Thought depends largely on the stomach. In spite of this, those with the best stomachs are not always the best thinkers.

Voltaire
It is strange that thought should depend upon the stomach, and still that men with the best stomachs are not always the best thinkers.

Voltaire
Men use thought only to justify their wrongdoings, and speech only to conceal their thoughts.

Voltaire
He who cannot shine by thought, seeks to bring himself into notice by a witticism.

Voltaire
We are astonished at thought, but sensation is equally wonderful.

Voltaire