Author: Voltaire

God is not on the side of the big battalions, but on the side of those who shoot best.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

The ideal form of government is democracy tempered with assassination.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

I know of nothing more laughable than a doctor who does not die of old age.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

Common sense is not so common.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

Anything too stupid to be said is sung.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

What most persons consider as virtue, after the age of 40 is simply a loss of energy.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

My prayer to God is a very short one: 'Oh, Lord, make my enemies ridiculous;' God has granted it.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

Doctors are men who prescribe medicines of which they know little, to cure diseases of which they know less, in human beings of whom they know nothing.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

Nothing is so annoying than to be obscurely hanged.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

The husband who decides to surprise his wife is often very much surprised himself.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

The art of government consists in taking as much money as possible from one class of citizen to give to the other.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

This poem will not reach its destination.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

Do well and you will have no need for ancestors.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

I was never ruined but twice; once when I lost a lawsuit and once when I won one.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

May God defend me from my friends; I can defend myself from my enemies.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

Marriage is the only adventure open to the cowardly.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

Now, now, my good man, this is no time for making enemies.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

Animals have these advantages over man: they have no theologians to instruct them, their funerals cost them nothing, and no-one starts lawsuits over their wills.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist

History is a pack of lies we play on the dead.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist