The more man ascends through the past, and the more he launches into the future, the greater he will be, and all these philosophers and ministers and truth-telling men who have fallen victims to the stupidity of nations, the atrocities of priests, the fury of tyrants, what consolation was left for them in death? This: That prejudice would pass, and that posterity would pour out the vial of ignominy upon their enemies. O Posterity! Holy and sacred stay of the unhappy and the oppressed; thou who art just, thou who art incorruptible, thou who findest the good man, who unmaskest the hypocrite, who breakest down the tyrant, may thy sure faith, thy consoling faith never, never abandon me!
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- History and future generations will honor those who suffered for truth against oppression.
- In plain terms
- Posterity will praise the good and shame the bad in time.
- What can you take from it?
- History will eventually tell the truth.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Will history judge you?
- Is justice only in the future?
Another view
History can forget or distort the truth as well.
More from Denis Diderot
Et ses mains ourdiraient les entrailles du pretre, Au defaut d'un cordon pour etrangler les rois.
Permalink to quote #17 Pithy sentences are like sharp nails which force truth upon our memory.
Permalink to quote #19 Justice is the first virtue of those who command, and stops the complaints of those who obey.
Permalink to quote #16
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