Happy 311th Birthday to the French philosopher Voltaire!

[edbermac]

A few quotes from a man years ahead of his time...

I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.' And God granted it.

God is a comedian, playing to an audience too afraid to laugh.

Nothing can be more contrary to religion and the clergy than reason and common sense.

Prejudice, friend, govern the vulgar crowd.

All the reasonings of men are not worth one sentiment of women.

I hate women because they always know where things are.

I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it.

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

Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.

It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.

An ideal form of government is democracy tempered with assassination.

It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.

[edbermac]

1. WTF? 4 hours and no replies?

You're all so uncouth...

[El Fuego]

2. Ummm.... I liked Candide

:shrug:

[LaraMN]

10. "Those who can make you believe absurdities...."- I've got that on my car.

One of my absolute favorite quotes.

[Canadian Socialist]

3. I don't know how to break this to you

but the man is dead. Just so you don't lash out for that cappachino machine. Just sayin'




Yes. As a matter of fact, I am a philistine. Why do you ask?

[El Fuego]

4. Breaking: Voltaire--STILL DEAD!!!

[edbermac]

5. WTF? Next you'll tell me Elvis is dead...

:wtf:

[Lautremont]

6. "I hate women because they always know where things are. "

He's like the Dave Barry of the dixhuitieme.

[lakemonster11]

7. Yup, that's my sig-line.

:)

[necso]

8. "He was a great patriot,

a humanitarian, a loyal friend; provided, of course, he really is dead."

"All styles are good except the tiresome kind."

"Common sense is not so common."

"Divorce is probably of nearly the same date as marriage. I believe, however, that marriage is some weeks the more ancient."

"Every one goes astray, but the least imprudent are they who repent the soonest."

"How inexpressible is the meanness of being a hypocrite! How horrible is it to be a mischievous and malignant hypocrite."

"Ice-cream is exquisite - what a pity it isn't illegal."

"If God created us in his own image, we have more than reciprocated."

"Illusion is the first of all pleasures."

"Is there anyone so wise as to learn by the experience of others?"

"It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere."

"It is new fancy rather than taste which produces so many new fashions."

"It is not enough to conquer; one must learn to seduce."

"Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us."

"Nature has always had more force than education."

"No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible."

"The progress of rivers to the ocean is not so rapid as that of man to error."

"Thou sleepest, Brutus, and yet Rome is in chains."

"To the wicked, everything serves as pretext."

"Use, do not abuse; neither abstinence nor excess ever renders man happy."

"Very often, say what you will, a knave is only a fool."

"We cannot wish for that we know not."

"We have a natural right to make use of our pens as of our tongue, at our peril, risk and hazard."

"What most persons consider as virtue, after the age of 40 is simply a loss of energy."

I will make changes to one quote though: All the reasonings of men are not worth one clear perception (of women). -- Although this may not change the intended meaning.

You can include or leave out the parenthesized phrase, as suits your tastes.

(These are all attributed quotes.)

[barb162]

9. Happy birthday Voltaire

[ellie]

11. Happy Birthday Voltaire!

I have to tell my husband, he loves him.

[ProfessorGAC]

12. 311? He Must Have A Really Healthy Lifestyle

I mean, really! 311 years old.
The Professor