Denis Diderot Quotes
Denis Diderot was a French Enlightenment philosopher, novelist, and art critic, and the chief editor of the Encyclopedie, a vast collaborative work that aimed to gather and propagate the rational knowledge of the age. Over more than twenty years, in the face of censorship and the temporary loss of his collaborators, he saw the project through to completion. The quotes below are attributed to Denis Diderot, organized by topic.
Denis Diderot on Happiness
-
Attributed to Denis Diderot:
“There is only one passion, the passion for happiness.”
Denis Diderot on Knowledge
-
Attributed to Denis Diderot:
“The first step towards philosophy is incredulity.”
Denis Diderot on Mind
-
Attributed to Denis Diderot:
“We are all instruments endowed with feeling and memory. Our senses are so many keys struck by the nature surrounding us, and which often strike themselves.”
Denis Diderot on Politics
-
Attributed to Denis Diderot:
“From fanaticism to barbarism is only one step.”
Denis Diderot on Truth
-
Attributed to Denis Diderot:
“Skepticism is the first step toward truth.”
-
Attributed to Denis Diderot:
“Pithy sentences are like sharp nails which force truth upon our memory.”