I am dead, but my spirit possesses true thinkers on a regular basis.
I am well-known for my sharp wit, philosophical writings, promotion of the rights of man, and defense of civil liberties, including freedom of religion and the right to a fair trial.
Back in Paris in the 1700's, I was an outspoken supporter of social reform despite strict censorship laws in France and harsh penalties for those who broke them (yes, I even suffered exile).
A satirical polemist, I frequently made use of my works to criticize Church dogma and the French institutions of my day.
I am considered one of the most influential figures of my time....and hopefully, of yours.
Some words I'd like you to ponder:
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.
Everything's fine today, that is our illusion.
If God created us in his own image, we have more than reciprocated.
It is an infantile superstition of the human spirit that virginity would be thought a virtue and not the barrier that separates ignorance from knowledge.
It is not enough to conquer; one must learn to seduce.
Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.
I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.
Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.
Better is the enemy of good.
Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do.
I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: "O Lord make my enemies ridiculous." And God granted it.
Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.
No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking.
No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible.
Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be.
Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too.
We have a natural right to make use of our pens as of our tongue, at our peril, risk and hazard.
Stand upright, speak thy thoughts, declare The truth thou hast, that all may share; Be bold, proclaim it everywhere: They only live who dare.
It is today, my dear, that I take a perilous leap.
To hold a pen is to be at war.
