Denis Diderot Quotes on Authority
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Impenetrable in their dissimulation, cruel in their vengeance, tenacious in their purposes, unscrupulous as to their methods, animated by profound and hidden hatred for the tyranny of man - it is as though there exists among them an ever-present conspiracy toward domination, a sort of alliance like that subsisting among the priests of every country.
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The arbitrary rule of a just and enlightened prince is always bad. His virtues are the most dangerous and the surest form of seduction: they lull a people imperceptibly into the habit of loving, respecting, and serving his successor, whoever that successor may be, no matter how wicked or stupid.
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Watch out for the fellow who talks about putting things in order! Putting things in order always means getting other people under your control.
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Justice is the first virtue of those who command, and stops the complaints of those who obey.
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Et ses mains ourdiraient les entrailles du pretre, Au defaut d'un cordon pour etrangler les rois.
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Power acquired by violence is only a usurpation, and lasts only as long as the force of him who commands prevails over that of those who obey.
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The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.