Pensions are the favors of the powerful, and dangerous to any great intellect. It is only here and there down throughout the ages that a Voltaire is born who does not fall a victim to their blandishments.

Voltaire was not the first or last man to convert a prison into a hall of fame. A prison is confining to the body, but whether it affects the mind, depends ent…

Much of his work he did while confined to his bed. He was always an invalid, always obliged to take great care of himself, living constantly with death just be…

Whatever else he was during his life, he was never dull, and the world forgives almost anything but stupidity.

This, then, is freedom in the external life of man - that he is independent of the arbitrary power of his fellows.

My belief is that if we live another century or so - I am talking of the common life which is the real life and not of the little separate lives which we live …

To have what we want is riches; but to be able to do without is power.