La vertu suppose la liberte, comme le transport d'un fardeau suppose la force active. Dans la contrainte point de vertu, et sans vertu point de religion. Rends-moi esclave, je n'en serai pas meilleur. Le souverain meme n'a aucun droit d'employer la contrainte pour amener les hommes a la religion, qui suppose essentiellement choix et liberte. Ma pensee n'est pas plus soumise a l'autorite que la maladie ou la sante.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Voltaire states that virtue requires freedom, and religion must be chosen freely to be valid. Coercion destroys both morality and faith.
- In plain terms
- You cannot force someone to be good or religious.
- What can you take from it?
- Freedom is essential for virtue and true religion.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can virtue exist under force?
- Is faith meaningful if chosen?
Another view
Some argue structure can guide moral behavior.
More from Voltaire
On en trouve [l'argent] toujours quand il s'agit d'aller faire tuer des hommes sur la frontiere: il n'y en a plus quand il faut les sauver.
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Permalink to quote #71 Une compagnie de graves tyrans est inaccessible a toutes les seductions.
Permalink to quote #68
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