Voltaire's Philosophical Dictionary (English selection, H. I. Woolf translation, 1924)

Their wordsIt is indubitable that in a civilized town, it is infinitely more useful to have a religion, even a bad one, than to have none at all.

Their wordsFanaticism is certainly a thousand times more deadly; for atheism inspires no bloody passion, whereas fanaticism does: atheism is not opposed to crime, but fanaticism causes crimes to be committed.

Their wordsIt is therefore absolutely necessary for princes and for peoples, that the idea of a Supreme Being, creator, ruler, rewarder, revenger, shall be deeply engraved in people's minds.

Their wordsPopular government is in itself, therefore, less iniquitous, less abominable than despotic power.

Their wordsAll men would then be necessarily equal, if they were without needs; the poverty connected with our species subordinates one man to another; it is not the inequality which is the real misfortune, it is the dependence.

Their wordsIn our unhappy world it is impossible for men living in society not to be divided into two classes, the one the rich that commands, the other the poor that serves; and these two are subdivided into a thousand, and these thousand still have different gradations.

Their wordsSuch then is the human state that to wish for one's country's greatness is to wish harm to one's neighbours.

Their wordsThere is no good code in any country. The reason for this is evident; the laws have been made according to the times, the place and the need, etc.

Their wordsIt seems to me that most men have received from nature enough common sense to make laws, but that everyone is not just enough to make good laws.

Their wordsIt is, I think, the last degree of the malignity of our nature, to wish to oppress these very philosophers who would correct it.

Their wordsPrejudice is an opinion without judgment. Thus all over the world do people inspire children with all the opinions they desire, before the children can judge.

Their wordsWhen the truth is evident, it is impossible for parties and factions to arise.

Their wordsThe superstitious man is to the rogue what the slave is to the tyrant.

Their wordsIn a word, less superstition, less fanaticism; and less fanaticism, less misery.

Their wordsHe believes that religion does not consist either in the opinions of an unintelligible metaphysic, or in vain display, but in worship and justice.

Their wordsWhat is tolerance? it is the consequence of humanity. We are all formed of frailty and error; let us pardon reciprocally each other's folly—that is the first law of nature.

Their wordsIt is clear that the individual who persecutes a man, his brother, because he is not of the same opinion, is a monster.

Their wordsOf all religions, the Christian is without doubt the one which should inspire tolerance most, although up to now the Christians have been the most intolerant of all men.

Their wordsFrom generation to generation scepticism increases, and probability diminishes; and soon probability is reduced to zero.

Their wordsUnder which tyranny would you like to live? Under neither; but if I had to choose, I should detest the tyranny of one man less than that of many.