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38 Insightful Quotes By Denis Diderot That Will Polish Your Reasoning

Famous As: French Philosopher, Co-Founder and Chief Editor of the ‘Encyclopédie’
Born On: October 5, 1713
Died On: July 31, 1784
Born In: Langres, France
Died At Age: 70
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.
Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.

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

Denis Diderot
From fanaticism to barbarism is only one step.

From fanaticism to barbarism is only one step.

Denis Diderot
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.

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

Happiest are the people who give most happiness to others

Denis Diderot
We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter.

We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter.

Denis Diderot
All things must be examined, debated, investigated without exception and without regard for anyone's feelings.

All things must be examined, debated, investigated without exception and without regard for anyone's feelings.

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.

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.

Denis Diderot
Scepticism is the first step towards truth.

Scepticism is the first step towards truth.

Denis Diderot
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.

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.

Denis Diderot
Every man has his dignity. I'm willing to forget mine, but at my own discretion and not when someone else tells me to.

Every man has his dignity. I'm willing to forget mine, but at my own discretion and not when someone else tells me to.

Denis Diderot
Whether God exists or does not exist, He has come to rank among the most sublime and useless truths.

Whether God exists or does not exist, He has come to rank among the most sublime and useless truths.

Denis Diderot
Poetry must have something in it that is barbaric, vast and wild.

Poetry must have something in it that is barbaric, vast and wild.

Denis Diderot
It is very important not to mistake hemlock for parsley; but not at all so to believe or not in God.

It is very important not to mistake hemlock for parsley; but not at all so to believe or not in God.

Denis Diderot
There is no moral precept that does not have something inconvenient about it.

There is no moral precept that does not have something inconvenient about it.

Denis Diderot
For me, my thoughts are my prostitutes.

For me, my thoughts are my prostitutes.

Denis Diderot
Life is but a series of misunderstandings.

Life is but a series of misunderstandings.

Denis Diderot
Oh! how near are genius and madness! Men imprison them and chain them, or raise statues to them.

Oh! how near are genius and madness! Men imprison them and chain them, or raise statues to them.

Denis Diderot
What is a monster? A being whose survival is incompatible with the existing order.

What is a monster? A being whose survival is incompatible with the existing order.

Denis Diderot
People stop thinking when they cease to read.

People stop thinking when they cease to read.

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

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

Denis Diderot
If you want me to believe in God, you must make me touch him.

If you want me to believe in God, you must make me touch him.

Denis Diderot
The first step towards philosophy is incredulity.

The first step towards philosophy is incredulity.

Denis Diderot
The best order of things, as I see it, is the one that includes me; to hell with the most perfect of worlds, if I'm not part of it.

The best order of things, as I see it, is the one that includes me; to hell with the most perfect of worlds, if I'm not part of it.

Denis Diderot
Nous aimons, sans nous en douter, tout ce qui nous livre à nos penchants, nous séduit et excuse notre faiblesse.

Nous aimons, sans nous en douter, tout ce qui nous livre à nos penchants, nous séduit et excuse notre faiblesse.

Denis Diderot
Mind what you do; if you deceive me once I shall never believe you again.

Mind what you do; if you deceive me once I shall never believe you again.

Denis Diderot
One swallows the lie that flatters, but sips the bitter truth drop by drop.

One swallows the lie that flatters, but sips the bitter truth drop by drop.

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.

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
The enjoyment of freedom which could be exercised without any motivation would be the real hallmark of a maniac.

The enjoyment of freedom which could be exercised without any motivation would be the real hallmark of a maniac.

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.

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
It is better to reveal a weakness than allow oneself be suspected of a vice.

It is better to reveal a weakness than allow oneself be suspected of a vice.

Denis Diderot