denis diderot

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

“ Doctors are always working to preserve our health and cooks to destroy it, but the latter are the more often successful. ”

“ Scepticism is the first step towards truth. ”

“ Appeal made to artists. First of all move me, surprise me, rend my heart; make me tremble, weep, shudder; outrage me; delight my eyes afterwards if you can. ”

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

“ We are far more liable to catch the vices than the virtues of our associates. ”

“ Happiest are the people who give most happiness to others. ”

“ What a fine comedy this world would be if one did not play a part in it! ”

“ No man has received from nature the right to command his fellow human beings. ”

“ I discuss with myself questions of politics, love, taste, or philosophy. I let my mind rove wantonly, give it free rein to follow any idea, wise or mad that may present itself. ”