It is not human nature we should accuse but the despicable conventions that pervert it. -Denis Diderot Nature
Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest. -Denis Diderot Freedom
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 Government
When science, art, literature, and philosophy are simply the manifestation of personality they are on a level where glorious and dazzling achievements are possible, which can make a man's name live for thousands of years. -Denis Diderot Science
Patriotism is an ephemeral motive that scarcely ever outlasts the particular threat to society that aroused it. -Denis Diderot Patriotism
If there is one realm in which it is essential to be sublime, it is in wickedness. You spit on a petty thief, but you can't deny a kind of respect for the great criminal. -Denis Diderot Respect
Disturbances in society are never more fearful than when those who are stirring up the trouble can use the pretext of religion to mask their true designs. -Denis Diderot Religion
Patriotism is an ephemeral motive that scarcely ever outlasts the particular threat to society that aroused it. -Denis Diderot Society
When science, art, literature, and philosophy are simply the manifestation of personality they are on a level where glorious and dazzling achievements are possible, which can make a man's name live for thousands of years. -Denis Diderot Art
Disturbances in society are never more fearful than when those who are stirring up the trouble can use the pretext of religion to mask their true designs. -Denis Diderot Society
There are things I can't force. I must adjust. There are times when the greatest change needed is a change of my viewpoint. -Denis Diderot Change
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 Poetry
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 Age
We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter. -Denis Diderot Truth
Power acquired by violence is only a usurpation, and lasts only as long as the force of him who commands prevails over that of those who obey. -Denis Diderot Power
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 Faith
