A collection of thoughts and quotes by Denis Diderot on books, ideas, death, significance, French, accomplishments, birth, meaning, knowledge and soul.
38 Insightful Quotes By Denis Diderot That Will Polish Your Reasoning
Denis Diderot was a famed French art critic, writer and philosopher who played a vital role during ‘The Enlightenment’. He is also well-known as the co-founder and chief editor of ‘Encyclopedie’ with Jean le Rond d’Alembert. He gained fame primarily for his contributions towards the ‘Encyclopedie’ and also for the phenomenal plays that he had written. His first original work was titled, ‘The Philosophical Thoughts’ in which he argued for propitiation of feelings with reasons in order to establish compatibility. Some of his famous works include, ‘Paradox Of The Actor’, ‘Jacques The Fatalist’, ‘D’Alembert’s Dream’ and ‘Rameau’s Nephew’. However, these were all published after his death. Here is a corpus of some famous thoughts, views and opinions by the eminent philosopher which have been extracted from the vast sea of his works. Let us go through the quotes and sayings by Denis Diderot and see what we can learn from them.
One declaims endlessly against the passions; one imputes all of man's suffering to them. One forgets that they are also the source of all his pleasures.
Denis Diderot
Happiest are the people who give most happiness to others
Denis Diderot
All things must be examined, debated, investigated without exception and without regard for anyone's feelings.
Denis Diderot
We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter.
Denis Diderot
A nation which thinks that it is belief in God and not good law which makes people honest does not seem to me very advanced.
I am wholly yours - you are everything to me; we will sustain each other in all the ills of life it may please fate to inflict upon us; you will soothe my troubles; I will comfort you in yours.
Only passions, great passions, can elevate the soul to great things.
Denis Diderot
The most dangerous madmen are those created by religion, and ... people whose aim is to disrupt society always know how to make good use of them on occasion.
Denis Diderot
Nous aimons, sans nous en douter, tout ce qui nous livre à nos penchants, nous séduit et excuse notre faiblesse.
Denis Diderot
Nothing is duller than a progression of common chords. One wants some contrast, which breaks up the clear white light and makes it iridescent.
Denis Diderot
Monsignor…you are asking whether I promise God chastity, poverty, and obedience. I heard what you said and my answer is no
One swallows the lie that flatters, but sips the bitter truth drop by drop.
Denis Diderot
No matter how much a man may study, reflect and meditate on all the books in the world, he is nothing more than a minor scribe unless he has read the great book.
Denis Diderot
The enjoyment of freedom which could be exercised without any motivation would be the real hallmark of a maniac.
Denis Diderot
One cannot get rid of a good education, nor, unfortunately, of a bad one, which often is such because one has not wanted to defray the expenses of a good one.
