Voltaire

I have lived eighty years of life and know nothing for it, but to be resigned and tell myself that flies are born to be eaten by spiders and man to be devoured by sorrow.

Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.

I am very fond of truth, but not at all of martyrdom.

An ideal form of government is democracy tempered with assassination.

Love truth, but pardon error.

It is proved…that things cannot be other than they are, for since everything was made for a purpose, it follows that everything is made for the best purpose.

This self-love is the instrument of our preservation; it resembles the provision for the perpetuity of mankind: it is necessary, it is dear to us, it gives us pleasure, and we must conceal it.

An apology for the devil: it must be remembered that we have heard one side of the case. God has written all the books.

When Nature has work to be done, she creates a genius to do it.

A man is usually more careful of his money than he is of his principles.

It’s like something shifted when I spoke to you, I can’t even put words to it. This sense of gentle peace, space, lightness, freedom. The realization that the longing I carried for so long, that pain was not about him all along. It was the yearning to return to that place from which, once upon a time, we all came.

The hearing ear is always found close to the speaking tongue; and no genius can long or often utter anything which is not invited and gladly entertained by men around him.

Anger makes dull men witty – but it keeps them poor.

Men achieve a certain greatness unawares, when working to another aim.

Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.

Patron: One who countenances, supports or protects. Commonly a wretch who supports with insolence, and is paid with flattery.

A good end cannot sanctify evil means; nor must we ever do evil that good may come of it.

The lofty pine is oftenest shaken by the winds; High towers fall with a heavier crash; And the lightning strikes the highest mountain.

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm

There are still many causes worth sacrificing for, so much history yet to be made.

Let your literary compositions be kept from the public eye for nine years.