Some bedtime wisdom from Voltaire:

[marmar]

"...So long as the people do not care to exercise their freedom, those who wish to tyrannize will do so; for tyrants are active and ardent, and will devote themselves in the name of any number of gods, religious and otherwise, to put shackles upon sleeping men."



It's 3:08 a.m. and I'm still up - I should never have had that midnight cup of coffee. I'm going to be a zombie at work tomorrow (or later today, rather). Bonne nuit!

[Truthiness Inspector]

1. Have you ever read Voltaire in French?

Candide is one of my favorites, but oh so twisted, lol.

[nealmhughes]

2. Candide in French, especially the part about the "experimental physics" in the bushes

where Dr. Pangloss is giving the maid her "lesson" is so much funnier in French than in English; as is the description of the castle!

Who is our Voltaire today? Vidal?

[Truthiness Inspector]

3. There is no other Voltaire

He stands alone in history. A rebel and and a genius.

[poverlay]

4. True that. My favorite Voltaire quote, and one I feel compelled to repeat often is: "If an all-

powerful god did not exist it would be necessary to invent one..."

I'd like to know more about him. I need to check Wikipedia and read "Candide". I'll get there sooner or later...

[nealmhughes]

6. Candide is very short, and you may laugh out loud at times. Especially at the notorious footnote.

I shan't spoil it if you have never read it, but it is a one sentence damnation of the Papacy. . . actually, a two word damnation, "to date."

[Sal Minella]

5. A couple from my Voltaire collection:

"The sentiment of justice is so natural, and so universally acquired by all mankind, that it seems to be independent of all law, all party, all religion." -- (Voltaire / 1694-1778)

Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.

Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.

Every man is guilty of all the good he didn't do.

It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.

God is always on the side of the big battalions.

And everybody's favorite:
I do not agree with what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.

[leftchick]

7. well, well, here is the chimperor....

"It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets."

isn't that the truth.

[Sal Minella]

8. Yes....I rather thought that particular quote was appropriate on this particular message board...

:(