Prejudices are what fools use for reason.
VoltaireRead
Verses which do not teach men new and moving truths do not deserve to be read.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Writing should convey impactful and enlightening truths to be worthy of attention.
In this quote, Voltaire emphasizes the importance of literature and writing in imparting significant and transformative ideas to readers. He suggests that if a text fails to present new insights or provoke deeper thought, it loses its value and relevance, urging authors to focus on creating meaningful content that can inspire and educate.
Themes
LiteratureTruthWritingInsightEducation
In practice
Example use cases
During an academic lecture on the importance of literature.
More from Voltaire
All quotes βHe was a great patriot, a humanitarian, a loyal friend; provided, of course, he really is dead.
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It is dangerous to be right in matters where established men are wrong.
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It is not sufficient to see and to know the beauty of a work. We must feel and be affected by it.
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We are all full of weakness and errors; let us mutually pardon each other our follies - it is the first law of nature.
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It is better to risk saving a guilty man than to condemn an innocent one.
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