Denis Diderot

Bekannte Zitate von Denis Diderot

The best doctor is the one you run to and can't find.

There is only one passion, the passion for happiness.

Genius is present in every age, but the men carrying it within them remain benumbed unless extraordinary events occur to heat up and melt the mass so that it flows forth.

When science, art, literature, and philosophy are simply the manifestation of personality they are on a level where glorious and dazzling achievements are possible, which can make a man's name live for thousands of years.

The general interest of the masses might take the place of the insight of genius if it were allowed freedom of action.

The possibility of divorce renders both marriage partners stricter in their observance of the duties they owe to each other. Divorces help to improve morals and to increase the population.

There are three principal means of acquiring knowledge... observation of nature, reflection, and experimentation. Observation collects facts reflection combines them experimentation verifies the result of that combination.

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.

Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.

Although a man may wear fine clothing, if he lives peacefully and is good, self-possessed, has faith and is pure and if he does not hurt any living being, he is a holy man.

Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things.

There are things I can't force. I must adjust. There are times when the greatest change needed is a change of my viewpoint.