French philosopher who was a leading figure of the Enlightenment in France; principal editor of an encyclopedia that disseminated the scientific and philosophical knowledge of the time (1713-1784)

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Famous quotes by Denis Diderot:Sort:Popular A - Z

A thing is not proved just because no one has ever questioned it. What has never been gone into impartially has never been properly gone into. Hence scepticism is the first step toward truth. It must be applied generally, because it is the touchstone.
All children are essentially criminal.
Fanaticism is just one step away from barbarism.
Genius is present in every age, but the men carrying it within them remain benumbed unless extraordinary events occur to heat up and melt the mass so that it flows forth.
I can be expected to look for truth but not to find it.
Only passions, great passions, can elevate the soul to great things.
Our observation of nature must be diligent, our reflection profound, and our experiments exact. We rarely see these three means combined and for this reason, creative geniuses are not common.
Our observation of nature must be diligent, our reflection profound, and our experiments exact. We rarely see these three means combined; and for this reason, creative geniuses are not common.
There are three principal means of acquiring knowledge. . . observation of nature, reflection, and experimentation. Observation collects facts reflection combines them experimentation verifies the result of that combination.
There are three principal means of acquiring knowledge. . . observation of nature, reflection, and experimentation. Observation collects facts; reflection combines them; experimentation verifies the result of that combination.
There is no moral precept that does not have something inconvenient about it.
Virtue is praised but hated. People run away from it, for it is ice-cold and in this world you must keep your feet warm.
We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip little by little at a truth we find bitter.
What has not been examined impartially has not been well examined. Skepticism is therefore the first step toward truth.

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