François-Marie Arouet, known as Voltaire, was born on November 21, 1694, in Paris, France. A towering figure of the Enlightenment, he was a prolific writer, philosopher, and satirist whose career highlighted his fierce advocacy for civil liberties, freedom of speech, and religious tolerance. Voltaire’s notable achievements include authoring the satirical novel Candide (1759), essays in the Dictionnaire Philosophique (1764), and numerous plays and letters that critiqued societal norms and championed reason. His quotes, sourced from books, letters, and essays, offer timeless wisdom on life, drawing from his extensive writings rather than modern mediums like interviews or social media. Below is a curated list of 15 Voltaire quotes about life, showcasing his insightful reflections.
15 Voltaire Quotes
1. “Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.” (Letter to Madame d’Épinay, 1759)
2. “Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.” (Dictionnaire Philosophique, 1764)
3. “The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing.” (Letter to Frederick the Great, 1736)
4. “Doubt is an uncomfortable condition, but certainty is absurd.” (Dictionnaire Philosophique, 1764)
5. “Life is thickly sown with thorns; I know no other remedy than to pass rapidly over them.” (Letters, 1769)
6. “The happiest of all lives is a busy solitude.” (Letters, n.d.)
7. “Man is free at the moment he wishes to be.” (Candide, 1759)
8. “Love truth, but pardon error.” (Dictionnaire Philosophique, 1764)
9. “It is dangerous to be right in matters where established men are wrong.” (Le Siècle de Louis XIV, 1751)
10. “Life is neither good nor evil, but only a place for good and evil.” (Philosophical essays, n.d.)
11. “To the living we owe respect, but to the dead we owe only truth.” (Various writings, n.d.)
12. “Four thousand volumes of metaphysics will not teach us what the soul is.” (Dictionnaire Philosophique, 1764)
13. “The best is the enemy of the good.” (Dictionnaire Philosophique, 1764)
14. “Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” (Essays, n.d.)
15. “Life is too short and too precious to be wasted on trifles.” (Letters, 1765)
Voltaire’s quotes about life reveal his profound emphasis on reason, resilience, and human freedom, painting a picture of a thinker who valued inquiry over dogma and encouraged a balanced, reflective existence. They highlight his belief in the power of critical thought to navigate life’s complexities, fostering tolerance and wisdom. What resonates with you from these insights? Share your favorite quote or reflections in the comments below.