Voltaire

In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one class of citizens to give to another.

Opinion has caused more trouble on this little earth than plagues or earthquakes.

The Holy Roman Empire is neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire.

If there were no God, it would be necessary to invent him.

God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.

Tyrants have always some slight shade of virtue; they support the laws before destroying them.

I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as ‘making a life’.

She has lost the art of conversation, but not, unfortunately, the power of speech.

You have to choose between trusting to the natural stability of gold and the natural stability of the honesty and intelligence of the members of the Government. And, with due respect for these gentlemen, I advise you, as long as the Capitalist system lasts, to vote for gold.

Here’s the thing: the world is not going to issue you an engraved invitation to this life.

Do or do not. There is no try.

Lying has a kind of respect and reverence with it. We pay a person the compliment of acknowledging his superiority whenever we lie to him.

Let your boat of life be light, packed with only what you need – a homely home and simple pleasures, one or two friends, worth the name, someone to love and someone to love you, a cat, a dog, and a pipe or two, enough to eat and enough to wear, and a little more than enough to drink; for thirst is a dangerous thing.

Obviously, as you grow up, no one’s ever 100 percent proud of every decision that they’ve made, and that’s OK. I think as long as you learn from your mistakes and don’t make them over and over again, you’re on the right path.

Laws control the lesser man… Right conduct controls the greater one.

If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.

A man cannot be said to succeed in this life who does not satisfy one friend.

You have set up in New York Harbor a monstrous idol which you call Liberty. The only thing that remains to complete that monument is to put on its pedestal the inscription written by Dante on the gate of hell: All hope abandon ye who enter here.

Something made greater by ourselves and in turn that makes us greater.

Anyone who has the power to make you believe absurdities has the power to make you commit injustices.

Always do what you are afraid to do.