Denis Diderot (1713 – 1784)
French philosopher and chief editor of the historic project to produce L'Encyclopédie.
The more man ascends through the past, and the more he launches into the future, the greater he will be, and all these philosophers and ministers and truth-telling men who have fallen victims to the stupidity of nations, the atrocities of priests, the fury of tyrants, what consolation was left for them in death? This: That prejudice would pass, and that posterity would pour out the vial of ignominy upon their enemies. O Posterity! Holy and sacred stay of the unhappy and the oppressed; thou who art just, thou who art incorruptible, thou who findest the good man, who unmaskest the hypocrite, who breakest down the tyrant, may thy sure faith, thy consoling faith never, never abandon me!
When shall we see poets born? After a time of disasters and great misfortunes, when harrowed nations begin to breathe again. And then, shaken by the terror of such spectacles, imaginations will paint things entirely strange to those who have not witnessed them.
The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.
On doit exiger de moi que je cherche la vérité, mais non que je la trouve.
The blood of Jesus Christ can cover a multitude of sins, it seems to me.
How easy it is to tell tales!
The first step towards philosophy is incredulity.
If you want me to believe in God, you must make me touch him.