Although a man may wear fine clothing, if he lives peacefully; and is good, self-possessed, has faith and is pure; and if he does not hurt any living being, he is a holy man.
Interpretation
True holiness is defined by one's character and actions rather than outward appearance or material wealth.
This quote by Denis Diderot emphasizes that true virtue and holiness come from within a person, rather than their superficial attributes such as clothing or wealth. A person who is peaceful, kind, self-controlled, and compassionate embodies true goodness and sanctity, highlighting the importance of moral integrity over material possessions.
In practice
During a seminar on ethics, one might quote Diderot to illustrate that true virtue lies in one’s actions.
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.
This root [the potato], no matter how much you prepare it, is tasteless and floury. It cannot pass for an agreeable food, but it supplies a food sufficiently abundant and sufficiently healthy for men who ask only to sustain themselves. The potato is criticized with reason for being windy, but what matters windiness for the vigorous organisms of peasants and laborers?
Do you see this egg? With this you can topple every theological theory, every church or temple in the world.
There are three principal means of acquiring knowledge... observation of nature, reflection, and experimentation. Observation collects facts; reflection combines them; experimentation verifies the result of that combination.
In order to get as much fame as one's father one has to much more able than he.
All abstract sciences are nothing but the study of relations between signs.
It is man's unique privilege, among all other organisms. By pursuing falsehood you will arrive at the truth!
The more completely we focus our attention on our Creator and Lord, the less chance there is of our being distracted by creatures.
Against the suffering which may come upon one from human relationships the readiest safeguard is voluntary isolation, keeping oneself aloof from other people. The happiness which can be achieved along this path is, as we see, the happiness of quietness. Against the dreaded external world one can only defend oneself by some kind of turning away from it, if one intends to solve the task by oneself.
You can make some inferences about a man's character if you know something about the conditions in which he has survived and prospered.
One of the characteristics of the dream is that nothing surprises us in it. With no regret, we agree to live in it with strangers, completely cut off from our habits and friends.
Neither a Fortress nor a Maidenhead will hold out long after they begin to parley.
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