Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Voltaire sarcastically notes that people believe God favors the strongest military forces.
In plain terms
He mocks the idea that the strongest army is the favorite of God.
What can you take from it?
Power is often mistaken for righteousness.

Where it applies

  • analyzing war
  • critiquing military
  • discussing power

Putting it to work

  • distinguish strength from truth
  • question power narratives

Questions to consider

  • Does strength imply truth?
  • Why do we trust armies?

Another view

Not all observers confuse strength with divine approval.

More from Voltaire

  1. C'est une grande question parmi eux s'ils [les africains] sont descendus des singes ou si les singes sont venus d'eux. Nos sages ont dit que l'homme est l'imag…

    Permalink to quote #45
  2. C'est une plaisante chose que la pensee depende absolument de l'estomac, et malgre cela les meilleurs estomacs ne soient pas les meilleurs penseurs.

    Permalink to quote #47
  3. La vie est herissee de ces epines, et je n'y sais d'autre remede que de cultiver son jardin.

    Permalink to quote #44

Related quotes

  1. I am thankful for the kind treatment during my captivity and I ask God to accept me with mercy.

    Hans FrankHans Frank quote #1
  2. Imagine that leader of all the enemy, in that great plain of Babylon, sitting on a sort of throne of smoking flame, a horrible and terrifying sight. Watch him …

    Ignatius of LoyolaIgnatius of Loyola quote #4
  3. I am the flail of god. Had you not created great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.

    Genghis KhanGenghis Khan quote #8