Patriotism is an ephemeral motive that scarcely ever outlasts the particular threat to society that aroused it. – Denis Diderot
It is not human nature we should accuse but the despicable conventions that pervert it. – Denis Diderot
Our observation of nature must be diligent, our reflection profound, and our experiments exact. We rarely see these three means combined and for this reason, creative geniuses are not common. – Denis Diderot
No man has received from nature the right to command his fellow human beings. – Denis Diderot
Good music is very close to primitive language. – Denis Diderot
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. – Denis Diderot
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. – Denis Diderot
There is only one passion, the passion for happiness. – Denis Diderot
The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers. – Denis Diderot
Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things. – Denis Diderot
Morals are in all countries the result of legislation and government they are not African or Asian or European: they are good or bad. – Denis Diderot
Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest. – Denis Diderot
The general interest of the masses might take the place of the insight of genius if it were allowed freedom of action. – Denis Diderot
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. – Denis Diderot
When superstition is allowed to perform the task of old age in dulling the human temperament, we can say goodbye to all excellence in poetry, in painting, and in music. – Denis Diderot
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. – 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
It is very important not to mistake hemlock for parsley, but to believe or not believe in God is not important at all. – Denis Diderot
There is no moral precept that does not have something inconvenient about it. – Denis Diderot
Doctors are always working to preserve our health and cooks to destroy it, but the latter are the more often successful. – Denis Diderot
