Voltaire's quote

 

François-Marie Arouet (French pronunciation: ; 21 November 1694 – 30 May 1778), known by his nom de plume Voltaire (pronounced: ), was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion, freedom of expression, free trade and separation of church and state. Voltaire was a prolific writer, producing works in almost every literary form, including plays, poetry, novels, essays, and historical and scientific works. He wrote more than 20,000 letters and more than 2,000 books and pamphlets. He was an outspoken supporter of social reform, despite strict censorship laws with harsh penalties for those who broke them. As a satirical polemicist, he frequently made use of his works to criticize intolerance, religious dogma, and the French institutions of his day.

Voltaire was one of several Enlightenment figures (along with Montesquieu, John Locke, Richard Price, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Émilie du Châtelet) whose works and ideas influenced important thinkers of both the American and French Revolutions.


from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltaire

A witty saying proves nothing. Le Dner Du Comte de Boulainvilliers. Par Mr. St. Hiacinte
Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities. Questions sur les Miracles à M. Claparede, Professeur de Théologie à Genève, par un Proposant: Ou Extrait de Diverses Lettres de M. de Voltaire