Ou est le prince assez instruit pour savoir que depuis dix-sept cents ans la secte chretienne n'a jamais fait que du mal?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Voltaire asserts that Christianity has historically caused harm rather than good, challenging its moral authority.
- In plain terms
- He claims religion has done nothing but harm for centuries.
- What can you take from it?
- Historical impact matters when judging belief systems.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we judge religious history?
- Does harm outweigh good?
Another view
This view ignores positive historical impacts of the faith.
More from Voltaire
Le doute n'est pas une condition agreable, mais la certitude est absurde.
Permalink to quote #38 J'ai toujours fait une priere a Dieu, qui est fort courte. La voici: Mon Dieu, rendez nos ennemis bien ridicules! Dieu m'a exauce.
Permalink to quote #40 La notre [religion] est sans contredit la plus ridicule, la plus absurde, et la plus sanguinaire qui ait jamais infecte le monde. Votre Majeste rendra un servi…
Permalink to quote #37
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