Upload
jose-pablo-nolasco-quintero
View
218
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 1/453
E D I T I O N D E L A P A C I F I C A T I O N
T H E W O R K S O F
VOLTAIRE A CONTEMPORARY VERSION
W ITH NOTES BY TOBIAS SMOLLETT, R EVISED AND MODERNIZED
NEW TRANSLATIONS BY W ILLIAM F. FLEMING, AND AN
INTRODUCTION BY OLIVER H. G. LEIGH
A CRITIQUE AND BIOGRAPHY
BY
T H E R T . H O N . J O H N M O R L E Y
F O R T Y - T H R E E V O L U M E S
ONE HUNDRED ANS SIXTY-EIGHT DESIGNS, COMPRISINGS REPRODUCTIONS
OF RARE OLD ENGRAVINGS, STEEL PLATES, PHOTOGRAVURES,
AND CURIOUS FAC-SIMILES
VOLUME XI
AKRON, OHIO
THE WERNER COMPANY
1!"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 2/453
The WORKS of VOLTAIRE
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 3/453
EDITION DE LA PACIFICATION
Limited to one thousand sets
for America and reat !ritain"
#!et$een t$o ser%ants of &umanit'( $ho a))eared
ei*hteen hundred 'ears a)art( there is a m'sterious re+ation"
, , , , Let us sa' it $ith a sentiment of
)rofound res)ect- .ES/S WEPT- VOLTAIRE S0ILED"
Of that di%ine tear and of that human smi+e is com)osed the
s$eetness of the )resent ci%i+i1ation" 2 2
VICTOR &/O"
32(4
OLD RO/ EN
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 4/453
EDITION DE LA PACIFICATION
NOTICE"
&OW TO OPEN A !OOK"
From( #Sfodern !oo56indin*"#
&o+d the 6oo5 $ith its 6ac5 on a smooth or
co%ered ta6+e 4 +et the front 6oard do$n( then
the other( ho+din* the +ea%es in one hand $hi+e
'ou o)en a fe$ +ea%es at the 6ac5( then a fe$ at
the front( and so on( a+ternate+' o)enin* 6ac5
and front( *ent+' )ressin* o)en the sections ti++
'ou reach the center of the %o+ume" Do this t$o
or three times and 'ou $i++ o6tain the 6est re3
su+ts" O)en the %o+ume %io+ent+' or care+ess+'
in an' one )+ace and 'ou $i++ +i5e+' 6rea5 the
6ac5 and cause a start in the +ea%es" Ne%er
force the 6ac5 of the 6oo5"
,2A connoisseur man' 'ears a*o( an e7ce++ent
customer of mine( $ho thou*ht he 5ne$ )er3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 5/453
fect+' ho$ to hand+e 6oo5s( came into m' o8ce
$hen I had an e7)ensi%e 6indin* 9ust 6rou*ht
from the 6inder' read' to 6e sent home 4 he(
6efore m' e'es( too5 ho+d of the %o+ume and
ti*ht+' ho+din* the +ea%es in each hand( instead
of a++o$in* them free )+a'( %io+ent+' o)ened it
in the center and e7c+aimed - 2 &o$ 6eautifu++'
'our 6indin*s o)en:2 I a+most fainted" &e
had 6 9o5en the 6ac5 of the %o+ume and it had to
6e re6ound"#
;<=>
EDITION DE LA PACIFICATION
T&E WORKS OF
VO LTAI R E
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 6/453
A CONTE0PORAR? VERSION
WIT& NOTES !? TO!IAS S0OLLETT( REVISED AND 0ODERNI@ED
NEW TRANSLATIONS !? WILLIA0 F" FLE0IN( AND AN
INTROD/CTION !? OLIVER &" " LEI&
A CRITI/E AND !IORAP&?
!?
T&E RT" &ON" .O&N 0ORLE?
FORT?3T&REE VOL/0ES
ONK &/NDRED AND SIBT?3EI&T DESINS( CO0PRISIN REPROD/CTIONS
OF KAR! OLD ENRAVINS( STEEL PLATES( P&OTORAV/RES(
A0D C/RIO/S FAC3SI0ILES
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 7/453
VOL/0E BI
AKRON( O&IO
T&E WERNER CO0PAN?
;<=>
COP?RI&T ;<=;
!? E" R" Du0oNT
OWNED !?
T&E WERNER CO0PAN?
AKRON( O&IO
I&, WERNER CO0PAN?
Stac5
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 8/453
Anne7
P
O
E>S>
I<O>
i"&
VOLTAIRE
A P&ILOSOP&ICAL DICTIONAR?
IN TEN VOL/0ES
VOL" VII"
.OSEP& 0ISSION
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 9/453
LIST OF PLATES
VOL" BI
PAE
OLD RO/EN """" Frontis)iece
0ONTES/IE/ I==
T&E DREA0 OF &/0AN LIFE " " ";=
ANCIENT RO0E """""" G=
A P&ILOSOP&ICAL DICTIONAR?"
.OSEP&"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 10/453
T&E histor' of .ose)h( considerin* it mere+' as
an o69ect of curiosit' and +iterature( is one of the
most )recious monuments of antiHuit' $hich has
reached us" It a))ears to 6e the mode+ of a++ the
Orienta+ $riters4 it is more aectin* than the
#Od'sse'# 4 for a hero $ho )ardons is more touch3
in* than one $ho a%en*es"
We re*ard the Ara6s as the Jrst authors of these
in*enious Jctions( $hich ha%e )assed into a++ +an3
*ua*es 4 6ut I see amon* them no ad%entures com3
)ara6+e to those of .ose)h" A+most a++ in it is $on3
derfu+( and the termination e7acts tears of tender3
ness" &e $as a 'oun* man of si7teen 'ears of a*e(
of $hom his 6rothers $ere 9ea+ous4 he is so+d 6'
them to a cara%an of Ishmae+ite merchants( con3
ducted into E*')t( and 6ou*ht 6' a eunuch of the
5in*" This eunuch had a $ife( $hich is not at a++
e7traordinar' 4 the 5is+ar a*a( a )erfect eunuch( has
a sera*+io at this da' at Constantino)+e 4 the' +eft
him some of his senses( and nature in conseHuence
is not a+to*ether e7tin*uished" No matter 4 the
$ife of Poti)har fa++s in +o%e $ith the 'oun* .ose)h(
$ho( faithfu+ to his master and 6enefactor( re9ects
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 11/453
> Phi+oso)hica+
the ad%ances of this $oman" She is irritated at it(
and accuses .ose)h of attem)tin* to seduce her"
Such is the histor' of &i))o+'tus and Phaedra( of
!e++ero)hon and @eno6ia( of &e6rus and Damasi))a(
of 0'rti+us and &i))odamia( etc"
It is di8cu+t to 5no$ $hich is the ori*ina+ of a++
these histories 4 6ut amon* the ancient Ara6ian au3
thors there is a tract re+atin* to the ad%enture of .o3
se)h and Poti)har2s $ife( $hich is %er' in*enious"
The author su))oses that Poti)har( uncertain 6e3
t$een the assertions of his $ife and .ose)h( re*arded
not .ose)h2s tunic( $hich his $ife had torn as a )roof
of the 'oun* man2s outra*e" There $as a chi+d in
a crad+e in his $ife2s cham6er 4 and .ose)h said that
she sei1ed and tore his tunic in the )resence of this
infant" Poti)har consu+ted the chi+d( $hose mind
$as %er' ad%anced for its a*e" The chi+d said
to Poti)har- #See if the tunic is torn 6ehind or
6efore4 if 6efore( it is a )roof that .ose)h $ou+d
em6race 'our $ife 6' force( and that she defended
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 12/453
herse+f 4 if 6ehind( it is a )roof that 'our $ife de3
tained .ose)h"# Poti)har( than5s to the *enius of
the chi+d( reco*ni1ed the innocence of his s+a%e" It
is thus that this ad%enture is re+ated in the Koran(
after the Ara6ian author" It informs us not to $hom
the infant 6e+on*ed( $ho 9ud*ed $ith so much $it"
If it $as not a son of Poti)har( .ose)h $as not
the Jrst $hom this $oman had seduced"
&o$e%er that ma' 6e( accordin* to enesis(
.ose)h is )ut in )rison( $here he Jnds himse+f in
Dictionar'"
com)an' $ith the 6ut+er and 6a5er of the 5in* of
E*')t" These t$o )risoners of state 6oth dreamed
one ni*ht" .ose)h e7)+ains their dreams 4 he )re3
dicted that in three da's the 6ut+er $ou+d 6e re3
cei%ed a*ain into fa%or( and that the 6a5er $ou+d
6e han*ed 4 $hich fai+ed not to ha))en"
T$o 'ears after$ards the 5in* of E*')t a+so
dreams( and his 6ut+er te++s him that there is a 'oun*
.e$ in )rison $ho is the Jrst man in the $or+d for
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 13/453
the inter)retation of dreams" The 5in* causes the
'oun* man to 6e 6rou*ht to him( $ho forete++s se%en
'ears of a6undance and se%en of steri+it'"
Let us here interru)t the thread of the histor' to
remar5( of $hat )rodi*ious antiHuit' is the inter)re3
tation of dreams" .aco6 sa$ in a dream the m's3
terious +adder at the to) of $hich $as od &imse+f"
In a dream he +earned a method of mu+ti)+'in* his
oc5s( a method $hich ne%er succeeded $ith an'
6ut himse+f" .ose)h himse+f had +earned 6' a dream
that he shou+d one da' *o%ern his 6rethren" A6ime3
+ech( a +on* time 6efore( had 6een $arned in a dream(
that Sarah $as the $ife of A6raham"
To return to .ose)h - after e7)+ainin* the dream
of Pharaoh( he $as made Jrst minister on the s)ot"
We dou6t if at )resent "a 5in* cou+d 6e found( e%en
in Asia( $ho $ou+d 6esto$ such an o8ce in return
for an inter)reted dream" Pharaoh es)oused .ose)h
to a dau*hter of Poti)har" It is said that this Pot3
i)har $as hi*h3)riest of &e+io)o+is 4 he $as not
therefore the eunuch( his Jrst master 4 or if it $as
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 14/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 15/453
ans$ered to Pharaoh( ou*ht to stri5e a++ those $ho
5no$ ho$ to read" #&o$ o+d art thouM# said the
5in* to him" #The da's of the 'ears of m' )i+*rim3
a*e(# said the o+d man( #are an hundred and thirt'
'ears 4 fe$ and e%i+ ha%e the da's of the 'ears of m'
+ife 6een"# ,
./DA"
I NEVER $as in .udaea( than5 od: and I ne%er
$i++ *o there" I ha%e met $ith men of a++ nations
Dictionar'" <
$ho ha%e returned from it( and the' ha%e a++ of
them to+d me that the situation of .erusa+em is
horri6+e4 that a++ the +and round it is ston'4 that
the mountains are 6are4 that the famous ri%er
.ordan is not more than fort' feet $ide4 that the
on+' *ood s)ot in the countr' is .ericho4 in short(
the' a++ s)o5e of it as St" .erome did( $ho resided
a +on* time in !eth+ehem( and descri6es the countr'
as the refuse and ru66ish of nature" &e sa's that
in summer the inha6itants cannot *et e%en $ater to
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 16/453
drin5" This countr'( ho$e%er( must ha%e a))eared
to the .e$s +u7uriant and de+i*htfu+( in com)arison
$ith the deserts in $hich the' ori*inated" Were
the $retched inha6itants of the Landes to Huit them
for some of the mountains of Lam)ourdan( ho$
$ou+d the' e7u+t and de+i*ht in the chan*e4 and
ho$ $ou+d the' ho)e e%entua++' to )enetrate into the
Jne and fruitfu+ districts of Lan*uedoc( $hich $ou+d
6e to them the +and of )romise :
Such is )recise+' the histor' of the .e$s" .ericho
and .erusa+em are Tou+ouse and 0ont)e++ier( and
the desert of Sinai is the countr' 6et$een !ordeau7
and !a'onne"
!ut if the od $ho conducted the Israe+ites
$ished to 6esto$ u)on them a )+easant and fruitfu+
+and 4 if these $retched )eo)+e had in fact d$e+t in
E*')t( $h' did he not )ermit them to remain in
E*')tM To this $e are ans$ered on+' in the usua+
+an*ua*e of theo+o*'"
.udsea( it is said( $as the )romised +and" od
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 17/453
io Phi+oso)hica+
said to A6raham - #I $i++ *i%e thee a++ the countr'
6et$een the ri%er of E*')t and the Eu)hrates"#
A+as : m' friends( 'ou ne%er ha%e had )ossession
of those ferti+e 6an5s of the Eu)hrates and the Ni+e"
?ou ha%e on+' 6een du)ed and made foo+s of" ?ou
ha%e a+most a+$a's 6een s+a%es" To )romise and
to )erform( m' )oor unfortunate fe++o$s( are dif3
ferent thin*s" There $as an o+d ra66i once amon*
'ou( $ho( $hen readin* 'our shre$d and sa*acious
)ro)hecies( announcin* for 'ou a +and of mi+5 and
hone'( remar5ed that 'ou had 6een )romised more
6utter than 6read" !e assured that $ere the
*reat Tur5 this %er' da' to oer me the +ordshi)
sei*neurie of .erusa+em( I $ou+d )ositi%e+' de3
c+ine it"
Frederic5 III"( $hen he sa$ this detesta6+e coun3
tr'( said( +oud+' enou*h to 6e distinct+' heard( that
0oses must ha%e 6een %er' i++3ad%ised to conduct
his tri6e of +e)ers to such a )+ace as that" #Wh'(#
sa's Frederic5( #did he not *o to Na)+es M# Adieu(
m' dear .e$s 4 I am e7treme+' sorr' that the )rom3
ised +and is the +ost +and"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 18/453
!? T&E !ARON DE !RO/KANS"
./LIAN"
SECTION I"
./STICE is often done at +ast" T$o of, three
authors( either %ena+ or fanatica+( eu+o*i1e the crue+
and eeminate Constantine as if he had 6een a *od(
and treat as an a6so+ute miscreant the 9ust( the $ise(
Dictionar'" ; ;
and the *reat .u+ian" A++ other authors( co)'in*
from these( re)eat 6oth the atter' and the ca+umn'"
The' 6ecome a+most an artic+e of faith" At +en*th
the a*e of sound criticism arri%es 4 and at the end
of fourteen hundred 'ears( en+i*htened men re%ise
the cause $hich had 6een decided 6' i*norance" In
Constantine $e see a man of successfu+ am6ition(
interna++' sco8n* at thin*s di%ine as $e++ as human"
&e has the inso+ence to )retend that od sent him
a standard in the air to assure him of %ictor'" &e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 19/453
im6rues himse+f in the 6+ood of a++ his re+ations( and
is +u++ed to s+ee) in a++ the eeminac' of +u7ur'4
6ut he is a Christian he is canoni1ed"
.u+ian is so6er( chaste( disinterested( 6ra%e( and
c+ement 4 6ut he is not a Christian he has +on*
6een considered a monster"
At the )resent da' after ha%in* com)ared facts(
memoria+s and records( the $ritin*s of .u+ian and
those of his enemies $e are com)e++ed to ac5no$+3
ed*e that( if he $as not )artia+ to Christianit'( he
$as some$hat e7cusa6+e in hatin* a sect stained
$ith the 6+ood of a++ his fami+' 4 and that a+thou*h
he had 6een )ersecuted( im)risoned( e7i+ed( and
threatened $ith death 6' the a+i+eans( under the
rei*n of the crue+ and san*uinar' Constantius(
he ne%er )ersecuted them( 6ut on the contrar'
e%en )ardoned ten Christian so+diers $ho had con3
s)ired a*ainst his +ife" &is +etters are read and ad3
mired - #The a+i+eans(# sa's he( #under m' )red3
ecessor( suered e7i+e and im)risonment4 and
; Phi+oso)hica+
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 20/453
those $ho( accordin* to the chan*e of circumstances(
$ere ca++ed heretics( $ere reci)roca++' massacred in
their turn" I ha%e ca++ed home their e7i+es( I ha%e
+i6erated their )risoners( I ha%e restored their )ro)3
ert' to those $ho $ere )roscri6ed( and ha%e com3
)e++ed them to +i%e in )eace 4 6ut such is the rest+ess
ra*e of these a+i+eans that the' de)+ore their in3
a6i+it' an' +on*er to de%our one another"# What a
+etter: What a sentence( dictated 6' )hi+oso)h'(
a*ainst )ersecutin* fanaticism" Ten Christians con3
s)irin* a*ainst his +ife( he detects and he )ardons
them" &o$ e7traordinar' a man : What dastard+'
fanatics must those 6e $ho attem)t to thro$ dis3
*race on his memor' :
In short( on in%esti*atin* facts $ith im)artia+it'(
$e are o6+i*ed to admit that .u+ian )ossessed a++
the Hua+ities of Tra9an( $ith the e7ce)tion of that
de)ra%ed taste too +on* )ardoned to the ree5s and
Romans 4 a++ the %irtues of Cato( $ithout either
his o6stinac' or i++3humor 4 e%er'thin* that deser%es
admiration in .u+ius Caesar( and none of his %ices"
&e )ossessed the continence of Sci)io" Fina++'( he
$as in a++ res)ects eHua+ to 0arcus Aure+ius( $ho
$as re)uted the Jrst of men"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 21/453
There are none $ho $i++ no$ %enture to re)eat(
a+ter that s+anderer Theodoret( that( in order to
)ro)itiate the *ods( he sacriJced a $oi)an in the
tem)+e of Carres 4 none $ho $i++ re)eat an' +on*er
the stor' of the death scene in $hich he is re)re3
sented as thro$in* dro)s of 6+ood from his hand
Dictionar'" ;"G
to$ards hea%en( ca++in* out to .esus Christ - #a+i3
+ean( thou hast conHuered#4 as if he had fou*ht
a*ainst .esus in ma5in* $ar u)on the Persians 4 as
if this )hi+oso)her( $ho died $ith such )erfect
resi*nation( had $ith a+arm and des)air reco*ni1ed
.esus 4 as if he had 6e+ie%ed that .esus $as in the
air( and that the air $as hea%en : These ridicu+ous
a6surdities of men( denominated fathers of the
Church( are ha))i+' no +on*er current and res)ected"
Sti++( ho$e%er( the eect of ridicu+e $as( it seems(
to 6e tried a*ainst him( as it $as 6' the +i*ht and
*idd' citi1ens of Antioch" &e is re)roached for
his i++3com6ed 6eard and the manner of his $a+5"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 22/453
!ut 'ou( 0r" A66e de +a !+etterie( ne%er sa$ him
$a+54 'ou ha%e( ho$e%er( read his +etters and his
+a$s( the monuments of his %irtues" Of $hat con3
seHuence $as it( com)arati%e+'( that he had a
s+o%en+' 6eard and an a6ru)t( head+on* $a+5(
$hi+e his heart $as fu++ of ma*nanimit' and a++ his
ste)s tended to %irtue :
One im)ortant fact remains to 6e e7amined at
the )resent da'" .u+ian is re)roached $ith attem)t3
in* to fa+sif' the )ro)hec' of .esus Christ( 6' re3
6ui+din* the tem)+e of .erusa+em" Fires( it is as3
serted( came out of the earth and )re%ented the con3
tinuance of the $or5" It is said that this $as a
mirac+e( and that this mirac+e did not con%ert .u+ian(
nor A+')ius( the su)erintendent of the enter)rise(
nor an' indi%idua+ of the im)eria+ court 4 and u)on
this su69ect the A66e de +a !+etterie thus e7)resses
;Q Phi+oso)hica+
himse+f - #The em)eror and the )hi+oso)hers of his
court undou6ted+' em)+o'ed a++ their 5no$+ed*e of
natura+ )hi+oso)h' to de)ri%e the Deit' of the honor
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 23/453
of so stri5in* and im)ressi%e a )rodi*'" Nature
$as a+$a's the fa%orite resource of un6e+ie%ers4
6ut she ser%es the cause of re+i*ion so %er' season3
a6+'( that the' mi*ht sure+' sus)ect some co++usion
6et$een them"#
;" It is not true that it is said in the os)e+( that
the .e$ish tem)+e shou+d not 6e re6ui+t" The
*os)e+ of 0atthe$( $hich $as e%ident+' $ritten
after the destruction of .erusa+em 6' Titus( )ro)he3
sies( certain+'( that not one stone shou+d remain
u)on another of the tem)+e of the Idumasan &erod 4
6ut no e%an*e+ist sa's that it sha++ ne%er 6e re6ui+t"
It is )erfect+' fa+se that not one stone remained
u)on another $hen Titus demo+ished it" A++ its
foundations remained to*ether( $ith one entire $a++
and the to$er Antonia"
" Of $hat conseHuence cou+d it 6e to the
Su)reme !ein* $hether there $as a .e$ish tem)+e(
a ma*a1ine( or a mosHue( on the s)ot $here the
.e$s $ere in the ha6it of s+au*hterin* 6u++oc5s and
co$sM
G" It is not ascertained $hether it $as from
$ithin the circuit of the $a++s of the cit'( or from
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 24/453
$ithin that of the tem)+e( that those Jres )roceeded
$hich 6urned the $or5men" !ut it is not %er'
o6%ious $h' the .e$s shou+d 6urn the $or5men of
the em)eror .u+ian( and not those of the ca+i)h
Dictionar'" ;
Omar( $ho +on* after$ards 6ui+t a mosHue u)on
the ruins of the tem)+e 4 or those of the *reat Sa+adin
$ho re6ui+t the same mosHue" &ad .esus an' )ar3
ticu+ar )redi+ection for the mosHues of the 0ussu+3
mans
Q" .esus( not$ithstandin* his ha%in* )redicted
that there $ou+d not remain one stone u)on another
in .erusa+em( did not )re%ent the re6ui+din* of that
cit'"
" .esus )redicted man' thin*s $hich od )er3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 25/453
mitted ne%er to come to )ass" &e )redicted the
end of the $or+d( and his comin* in the c+ouds $ith
*reat )o$ r er and ma9est'( 6efore or a6out the end
of the then e7istin* *eneration" The $or+d( ho$3
e%er( has +asted to the )resent moment( and in a++
)ro6a6i+it' $i++ +ast much +on*er"
>" If .u+ian had $ritten an account of this
mirac+e( I shou+d sa' that he had 6een im)osed u)on
6' a fa+se and ridicu+ous re)ort 4 I shou+d thin5 that
the Christians( his enemies( em)+o'ed e%er' artiJce
to o))ose his enter)rise( that the' themse+%es 5i++ed
the $or5men( and e7cited and )romoted the 6e+ief
of their 6ein* destro'ed 6' a mirac+e 4 6ut .u+ian
does not sa' a sin*+e $ord on the su69ect" The $ar
a*ainst the Persians at that time fu++' occu)ied his
attention 4 he )ut o the re6ui+din* of the tem)+e
to some other time( and he died 6efore he $as a6+e
to commence the 6ui+din*"
" This )rodi*' is re+ated 6' Ammianus 0arce+3
+inus( $ho $as a Pa*an" It is %er' )ossi6+e that it
; > Phi+oso)hica+
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 26/453
ma' ha%e 6een an inter)o+ation of the Christians"
The' ha%e 6een char*ed $ith committin* num6er3
+ess others $hich ha%e 6een c+ear+' )ro%ed"
!ut it is not the +ess )ro6a6+e that at a time $hen
nothin* $as s)o5en of 6ut )rodi*ies and stories of
$itchcraft( Ammianus 0arce++inus ma' ha%e re3
)orted this fa6+e on the faith of some credu+ous
narrator" From Titus Li%ius to de Thou( inc+u3
si%e+'( a++ historians ha%e 6een infected $ith )rodi3
*ies"
" Contem)orar' authors re+ate that at the same
)eriod there $as in S'ria a *reat con%u+sion of the
earth( $hich in man' )+aces 6ro5e out in cona*ra3
tions and s$a++o$ed u) man' cities" There $as
therefore more mirac+e"
<" If .esus )erformed mirac+es( $ou+d it 6e in
order to )re%ent the re6ui+din* of a tem)+e in $hich
he had himse+f sacriJced( and in $hich he $as cir3
cumcised M Or $ou+d he not rather )erform mirac+es
to con%ert to Christianit' the %arious nations $ho
at )resent ridicu+e itM Or rather sti++( to render
more humane( more 5ind( Christians themse+%es(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 27/453
$ho( from Arius and Athanasius do$n to Ro+and
and the Pa+adins of the Ce%ennes( ha%e shed tor3
rents of human 6+ood( and conducted themse+%es
near+' as mi*ht 6e e7)ected from canni6a+sM
&ence I conc+ude that #nature# i not in #co+3
+usion(# as La !+etterie e7)resses it( $ith Chris3
tianit'( 6ut that La !+etterie is in co++usion $ith some
o+d $omen2s stories( one of those )ersons( as .u+ian
Dictionar'" ;
)hrases it( #Hui6us cum sto+idis anicu+is ne*otium
erat"#
La !+etterie( after ha%in* done 9ustice to some
of .u+ian2s %irtues( 'et conc+udes the histor' of that
*reat man 6' o6ser%in*( that his death $as the eect
of #di%ine %en*eance"# If that 6e the case( a++ the
heroes $ho ha%e died 'oun*( from A+e7ander to
usta%us Ado+)hus( ha%e( $e must infer( 6een )un3
ished 6' od" .u+ian died the no6+est of deaths( in
the )ursuit of his enemies( after man' %ictories"
.o%ian( $ho succeeded him( rei*ned a much shorter
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 28/453
time than he did( and rei*ned in dis*race" I see no
di%ine %en*eance in the matter4 and I see in La
!+etterie himse+f nothin* more than a disin*enuous(
dishonest dec+aimer" !ut $here are the men to 6e
found $ho $i++ dare to s)ea5 out M
Li6anius the Stoic $as one of these e7traordi3
nar' men" &e ce+e6rated the 6ra%e and c+ement
.u+ian in the )resence of Theodosius( the $ho+esa+e
murderer of the Thessa+onians 4 6ut Le !eau and La
!+etterie fear to )raise him in the hearin* of their
o$n )un' )arish o8cers"
SECTION II"
Let an' one su))ose for a moment that .u+ian
had a6andoned fa+se *ods for Christianit' 4 then
e7amine him as a man( a )hi+oso)her( and an em3
)eror 4 and +et the e7aminer then )oint out the man
$hom he $i++ %enture to )refer to him" If he had
+i%ed on+' ten 'ears +on*er( there is *reat )ro6a3
Vo+" II
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 29/453
; Phi+oso)hica+
6i+it' that he $ou+d ha%e *i%en a dierent form to
Euro)e from that $hich it 6ears at )resent"
The Christian re+i*ion de)ended u)on his +ife4
the eorts $hich he made for its destruction ren3
dered his name e7ecra6+e to the nations $ho ha%e
em6raced it" The Christian )riests( $ho $ere his
contem)oraries( accuse him of a+most e%er' crime(
6ecause he had committed $hat in their e'es $as the
*reatest of a++ he had +o$ered and humi+iated them"
It is not +on* since his name $as ne%er Huoted $ith3
out the e)ithet of a)ostate attached to it 4 and it is
)erha)s one of the *reatest achie%ements of reason
that he has at +en*th ceased to 6e mentioned under so
o))ro6rious a desi*nation" Who $ou+d ima*ine
that in one of the #0ercuries of Paris(# for the 'ear
;Q( the author shar)+' re6u5es a certain $riter
for fai+in* in the common courtesies of +ife( 6' ca++3
in* this em)eror .u+ian #the a)ostate#M Not more
than a hundred 'ears a*o the man that $ou+d not
ha%e treated him as an a)ostate $ou+d himse+f ha%e
6een treated as an atheist"
What is %er' sin*u+ar( and at the same time )er3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 30/453
fect+' true( is that if 'ou )ut out of consideration the
%arious dis)utes 6et$een Pa*ans and Christians(
in $hich this em)eror $as en*a*ed 4 if 'ou fo++o$
him neither to the Christian churches nor ido+atrous
tem)+es( 6ut o6ser%e him attenti%e+' in #his o$n
househo+d( in cam)( in 6att+e( in his manners( his
conduct( and his $ritin*s( 'ou $i++ Jnd him in e%er'
res)ect eHua+ to 0arcus Aure+ius"
Dictionar'" ; <
Thus( the man $ho has 6een descri6ed as so
a6omina6+e and e7ecra6+e( is )erha)s the Jrst( or
at +east the second of man5ind" A+$a's so6er(
a+$a's tem)erate( indu+*in* in no +icentious )+eas3
ures( s+ee)in* on a mere 6ear2s s5in( de%otin* on+'
a fe$ hours( and e%en those $ith re*ret( to s+ee)4
di%idin* his time 6et$een stud' and 6usiness( *en3
erous( susce)ti6+e of friendshi)( and an enem' to
a++ )om)( and )ride( and ostentation" &ad he 6een
mere+' a )ri%ate indi%idua+ he must ha%e e7torted
uni%ersa+ admiration"
If $e consider him in his mi+itar' character( $e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 31/453
see him constant+' at the head of his troo)s( es3
ta6+ishin* or restorin* disci)+ine $ithout ri*or( 6e3
+o%ed 6' his so+diers and at the same time restrain3
in* their e7cesses( conductin* his armies a+most
a+$a's on foot( and sho$in* them an e7am)+e of
endurin* e%er' s)ecies of hardshi)( e%er %ictorious
in a++ his e7)editions e%en to the +ast moments of
his +ife( and at +en*th d'in* at the *+orious crisis
$hen the Persians $ere routed" &is death $as that
of a hero( and his +ast $ords $ere those of a )hi3
+oso)her- #I su6mit(# sa's he( #$i++in*+' to the
eterna+ decrees of hea%en( con%inced that he $ho is
ca)ti%ated $ith +ife( $hen his +ast hour is arri%ed(
is more $ea5 and )usi++animous than he $ho $ou+d
rush to %o+untar' death $hen it is his dut' sti++ to
+i%e"# &e con%erses to the +ast moment on the im3
morta+it' of the sou+ 4 manifests no re*rets( sho$s
no $ea5ness( and s)ea5s on+' of his su6mission to the
O Phi+oso)hica+
decrees of Pro%idence" Let it 6e remem6ered that
this is the death of an em)eror at the a*e of thirt'3
t$o( and +et it 6e then decided $hether his memor'
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 32/453
shou+d 6e insu+ted"
As an em)eror( $e see him refusin* the tit+e of
#Dominus(# $hich Constantine aected4 re+ie%in*
his )eo)+e from di8cu+ties( diminishin* ta7es( en3
coura*in* the arts 4 reducin* to the moderate amount
of se%ent' ounces each those )resents in cro$ns of
*o+d( $hich had 6efore 6een e7acted from e%er'
cit' to the amount of three or four hundred mar5s 4
)romotin* the strict and *enera+ o6ser%ance of the
+a$s 4 restrainin* 6oth his o8cers and ministers from
o))ression( and )re%entin* as much as )ossi6+e a++
corru)tion"
Ten Christian so+diers cons)ire to assassinate
him 4 the' are disco%ered( and .u+ian )ardons them"
The )eo)+e of Antioch( $ho united inso+ence to
%o+u)tuousness( oer him an insu+t 4 he re%en*es
himse+f on+' +i5e a man of sense 4 and $hi+e he
mi*ht ha%e made them fee+ the $ei*ht of im)eria+
)o$er( he mere+' ma5es them fee+ the su)eriorit' of
his mind" Com)are $ith this conduct the e7ecutions
$hich Theodosius $ho $as %er' near 6ein* made
a saint e7hi6ited in Antioch( and the e%er dread3
fu+ and memora6+e s+au*hter of a++ the inha6itants
of Thessa+onica( for an oence of a some$hat
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 33/453
simi+ar descri)tion 4 and then decide 6et$een these
t$o ce+e6rated characters"
Certain $riters( ca++ed fathers of the Church
Dictionar'" ;
re*or' of Na1ian1en( and Theodoret thou*ht it
incum6ent on them to ca+umniate him( 6ecause he
had a6andoned the Christian re+i*ion" The' did
not consider that it $as the trium)h of that re+i*ion
to )re%ai+ o%er so *reat a man( and e%en o%er a sa*e(
after ha%in* resisted t'rants" One of them sa's
that he too5 a 6ar6arous %en*eance on Antioch and
J++ed it $ith 6+ood" &o$ cou+d a fact so )u6+ic and
atrocious esca)e the 5no$+ed*e of a++ other his3
torians M It is )erfect+' 5no$n that he shed no 6+ood
at Antioch 6ut that of the %ictims sacriJced in the
re*u+ar ser%ices of re+i*ion" Another %entures to
assert that 6efore his death he thre$ some of his
o$n 6+ood to$ards hea%en( and e7c+aimed( 22a+i+ean(
thou hast conHuered"# &o$ cou+d a ta+e so insi)id
and so im)ro6a6+e( e%en for a moment o6tain credit M
Was it a*ainst the Christians that he $as then com3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 34/453
6atin*M and is such an act( are such e7)ressions(
in the s+i*htest de*ree characteristic of the man M
0inds of a some$hat su)erior order to those of
.u+ian2s detractors ma' )erha)s inHuire( ho$ it
cou+d occur that a statesman +i5e him( a man of so
much inte++ect( a *enuine )hi+oso)her( cou+d Huit the
Christian re+i*ion( in $hich he $as educated( for
Pa*anism( of $hich( it is a+most im)ossi6+e not to
su))ose( he must ha%e fe+t the fo++' and ridicu+e"
It mi*ht 6e inferred that if .u+ian 'ie+ded too much
to the su**estions of his reason a*ainst the m'steries
of the Christian re+i*ion( he ou*ht( at +east in a++ con3
sistenc'( to ha%e 'ie+ded more readi+' to the dictates
Phi+oso)hica+
of the same reason( $hen more correct+' and de3
cided+' condemnin* the fa6+es of Pa*anism"
Perha)s( 6' attendin* a +itt+e to the )ro*ress of
his +ife( and the nature of his character( $e ma'
disco%er $hat it $as that ins)ired him $ith so stron*
an a%ersion to Christianit'" The em)eror Con3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 35/453
stantine( his *reat3unc+e( $ho had )+aced the
ne$ re+i*ion on the throne( $as stained 6' the
murder of his $ife( his son( his 6rother3in3+a$(
his ne)he$( and his father3in3+a$" The three
chi+dren of Constantine 6e*an their 6+ood' and
6a+efu+ rei*n( $ith murderin* their unc+e and
their cousins" From that time fo++o$ed a series
of ci%i+ $ars and murders" The father( the 6rother(
and a++ the re+ations of .u+ian( and e%en .u+ian him3
se+f( $ere mar5ed do$n for destruction 6' Con3
stantius( his unc+e" &e esca)ed this *enera+ mas3
sacre( 6ut the Jrst 'ears of his +ife $ere )assed in
e7i+e( and he at +ast o$ed the )reser%ation of his
+ife( his fortune( and the tit+e of Caesar( on+' to
Euse6ia( the $ife of his unc+e Constantius( $ho( after
ha%in* had the crue+t' to )roscri6e his infanc'( had
the im)rudence to a))oint him Caesar( and the sti++
further and *reater im)rudence of then )ersecutin*
him"
&e $as( in the Jrst instance( a $itness of the in3
so+ence $ith $hich a certain 6isho) treated #his 6ene3
factress Euse6ia" &e $as ca++ed Leontius( and $as
6isho) of Tri)o+i" &e sent information to the em3
)ress( #that he $ou+d not %isit her un+ess she $ou+d
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 36/453
Dictionar'" G
consent to recei%e him in a manner corres)ondin*
to his e)isco)a+ di*nit' that is( that she shou+d ad3
%ance to recei%e him at the door( that she shou+d
recei%e his 6enediction in a 6endin* attitude( and
that she shou+d remain standin* unti+ he *ranted her
)ermission to 6e seated"# The Pa*an )ontis $ere
not in the ha6it of treatin* )rincesses )recise+' in
this manner( and such 6ruta+ arro*ance cou+d not
6ut ma5e a dee) im)ression on the mind of a 'oun*
man attached at once to )hi+oso)h' and sim)+icit'"
If he sa$ that he $as in a Christian fami+'( he
sa$( at the same time( that he $as in a fami+' ren3
dered distin*uished 6' )arricides4 if he +oo5ed at
the court 6isho)s( he )ercei%ed that the' $ere at
once audacious and intri*uin*( and that a++ anathe3
mati1ed each other in turn" The hosti+e )arties of
Arius and Athanasius J++ed the em)ire $ith con3
fusion and carna*e 4 the Pa*ans( on the contrar'(
ne%er had an' re+i*ious Huarre+s" It is natura+ there3
fore that .u+ian( $ho had 6een educated( +et it 6e
remem6ered( 6' )hi+oso)hic Pa*ans( shou+d ha%e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 37/453
stren*thened 6' their discourses the a%ersion he
must necessari+' ha%e fe+t in his heart for the Chris3
tian re+i*ion" It is not more e7traordinar' to see
.u+ian Huit Christianit' for fa+se *ods( than to see
Constantine Huit fa+se *ods for Christianit'" It is
hi*h+' )ro6a6+e that 6oth chan*ed for moti%es of
state )o+ic'( and that this )o+ic' $as mi7ed u) in
the mind of .u+ian $ith the stern +oftiness of a stoic
sou+"
Q Phi+oso)hica+
The Pa*an )riests had no do*mas 4 the' did not
com)e+ men to 6e+ie%e that $hich $as incredi6+e4
the' reHuired nothin* 6ut sacriJces( and e%en sacri3
Jces $ere not en9oined under ri*orous )ena+ties4
the' did not set themse+%es u) as the Jrst order in
the state( did not form a state $ithin a state( and
did not mi7 in aairs of *o%ernment" These mi*ht
$e++ 6e considered moti%es to induce a man of
.u+ian2s character to dec+are himse+f on their side4
and if he had )iHued himse+f u)on 6ein* nothin* 6e3
sides a Stoic( he $ou+d ha%e had a*ainst him the
)riests of 6oth re+i*ions( and a++ the fanatics of each"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 38/453
The common )eo)+e $ou+d not at that time ha%e en3
dured a )rince $ho $as content sim)+' $ith the )ure
$orshi) of a )ure di%init' and the strict o6ser%ance
of 9ustice" It $as necessar' to side $ith one of the
o))osin* )arties" We must therefore 6e+ie%e that
.u+ian su6mitted to the Pa*an ceremonies( as the
ma9orit' of )rinces and *reat men attend the forms
of $orshi) in the )u6+ic tem)+es" The' are +ed
thither 6' the )eo)+e themse+%es( and are often
o6+i*ed to a))ear $hat in fact the' are not4 and
to 6e in )u6+ic the Jrst and *reatest s+a%es of
credu+it'" The Tur5ish su+tan must 6+ess the name
of Omar" The Persian so)hi must 6+ess the name
of A&" 0arcus Aure+ius himse+f $as initiated in
the m'steries of E+eusis"
We ou*ht not therefore to 6e sur)rised that
.u+ian shou+d ha%e de6ased his reason 6' conde3
scendin* to the forms and usa*es of su)erstition4
Dictionar'"
6ut it is im)ossi6+e not to fee+ indi*nant a*ainst
Theodoret( as the on+' historian $ho re+ates that he
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 39/453
sacriJced a $oman in the tem)+e of the moon at
Carres" This infamous stor' must 6e c+assed $ith
the a6surd ta+e of Ammianus( that the *enius of the
em)ire a))eared to .u+ian 6efore his death( and $ith
the other eHua++' ridicu+ous one( that $hen .u+ian
attem)ted to re6ui+d the tem)+e of .erusa+em( there
came *+o6es of Jre out of the earth( and consumed
a++ the $or5s and $or5men $ithout distinction"
I+iacos infra muros )eccatur et e7tra" &ORACE( 6oo5 i(
e)" ii( ; >"
!oth Christians and Pa*ans eHua++'( circu+ated
fa6+es concernin* .u+ian4 6ut the fa6+es of the
Christians( $ho $ere his enemies( $ere J++ed $ith
ca+umn'" Who cou+d e%er 6e induced to 6e+ie%e
that a )hi+oso)her sacriJced a $oman to the moon(
and tore out her entrai+s $ith his o$n handsM Is
such atrocit' com)ati6+e $ith the character of a ri*id
StoicM
&e ne%er )ut an' Christians to death" &e
*ranted them no fa%ors( 6ut he ne%er )ersecuted
them" &e )ermitted them( +i5e a 9ust so%erei*n( to
5ee) their o$n )ro)ert' 4 and he $rote in o))osition
to them +i5e a )hi+oso)her" &e for6ade their teach3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 40/453
in* in the schoo+s the )rofane authors( $hom the'
endea%ored to decr' this $as not )ersecutin* them 4
and he )re%ented them from tearin* one another to
)ieces in their outra*eous hatred and Huarre+s this
$as )rotectin* them" The' had in fact therefore
> Phi+oso)hica+
nothin* $ith $hich the' cou+d re)roach him( 6ut
$ith ha%in* a6andoned them( and $ith not 6ein* of
their o)inion" The' found means( ho$e%er( of ren3
derin* e7ecra6+e to )osterit' a )rince( $ho( 6ut for
his chan*e of re+i*ion( $ou+d ha%e 6een admired
and 6e+o%ed 6' a++ the $or+d"
A+thou*h $e ha%e a+read' treated of .u+ian(
under the artic+e on #A)ostate# 4 a+thou*h( fo++o$in*
the e7am)+e of e%er' sa*e( $e ha%e de)+ored the
dreadfu+ ca+amit' he e7)erienced in not 6ein* a
Christian( and ha%e done 9ustice e+se$here to his
%arious e7ce++ences( $e must ne%erthe+ess sa' some3
thin* more u)on the su69ect"
We do this in conseHuence of an im)osture
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 41/453
eHua++' a6surd and atrocious( $hich $e casua++' met
$ith in one of those )ett' dictionaries $ith $hich
France is no$ inundated( and $hich unfortunate+'
are so easi+' com)i+ed" This dictionar' of theo+o*'
$hich I am no$ a++udin* to )roceeds from an e73
.esuit( ca++ed Pau+ian( $ho re)eats the stor'( so dis3
credited and a6surd( that the em)eror .u+ian( after
6ein* morta++' $ounded in a 6att+e $ith the Per3
sians( thre$ some of his 6+ood to$ards hea%en( e73
c+aimin*( #a+i+ean( thou hast conHuered# a fa6+e
$hich destro's itse+f( as .u+ian $as conHueror in the
6att+e( and .esus Christ certain+' $as not the od of
the Persians"
,
Pau+ian( not$ithstandin*( dares to assert that the
fact is incontesta6+e" And u)on $hat *round does
he assert itM /)on the *round of its 6ein* re+ated
Dictionar'"
6' Theodoret( the author of so man' distin*uished
+ies 4 and e%en this notorious $riter himse+f re+ates
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 42/453
it on+' as a %a*ue re)ort4 he uses the e7)ression(
#It is said"# This stor' is $orth' of the ca+umni3
ators $ho stated that .u+ian had sacriJced a $oman
to the moon( and that after his death a +ar*e chest
$as found amon* his mo%a6+es J++ed $ith human
heads"
This is not the on+' fa+sehood and ca+umn' $ith
$hich this e73.esuit Pau+ian is char*ea6+e" If these
contem)ti6+e $retches 5ne$ $hat in9ur' the' did
to our ho+' re+i*ion( 6' endea%orin* to su))ort it 6'
im)osture( and 6' the a6omina6+e a6use $ith $hich
the' assai+ the most res)ecta6+e characters( the'
$ou+d 6e +ess audacious and infuriated" The' care
not( ho$e%er( for su))ortin* re+i*ion4 $hat the'
$ant is to *ain mone' 6' their +i6e+s 4 and des)air3
in* of 6ein* read 6' )ersons of sense( and taste(
and fashion( the' *o on *atherin* and com)i+in*
theo+o*ica+ trash( in ho)es that their )roductions
$i++ 6e ado)ted in the seminaries"
We sincere+' as5 )ardon of our $e++3informed
and res)ecta6+e readers for introducin* such names
as those of the e73.esuits Pau+ian( Nonnotte( and
Patoui++et 4 6ut after ha%in* tram)+ed to death ser3
)ents( $e sha++ )ro6a6+' 6e e7cused for crushin*
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 43/453
eas"
./ST AND /N./ST"
W&O has *i%en us the )erce)tion of 9ust and
un9ust M od( $ho *a%e us a 6rain and a heart" !ut
Phi+oso)hica+
$hen does our reason inform us that there are such
thin*s as %ice and %irtueM .ust at the same time
it teaches us that t$o and t$o ma5e four" There is
no innate 5no$+ed*e( for the same reason that there
is no tree that 6ears +ea%es and fruit $hen it Jrst
starts a6o%e the earth" There is nothin* innate( or
fu++' de%e+o)ed in the Jrst instance 4 6ut $e re3
)eat here $hat $e ha%e often said od causes us
to 6e 6orn $ith or*ans( $hich( as the' *ro$ and
6ecome unfo+ded( ma5e us fee+ a++ that is necessar'
for our s)ecies to fee+( for the conser%ation of that
s)ecies"
&o$ is this continua+ m'ster' )erformedM Te++
me( 'e 'e++o$ inha6itants of the Is+es of Sunda( 'e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 44/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 45/453
We $ou+d re)eat e%er' da' to the $ho+e of the
human race- 0ora+it' is uniform and in%aria6+e4
it comes from od- do*mas are dierent4 the'
come from ourse+%es"
.esus ne%er tau*ht an' meta)h'sica+ do*mas 4 &e
$rote no theo+o*ica+ courses 4 &e ne%er said - I am
consu6stantia+ 4 I ha%e t$o $i++s and t$o natures
$ith on+' one )erson" &e +eft for the Corde+iers
and the .aco6ins( $ho $ou+d a))ear t$e+%e hundred
'ears after &im( the de+icate and di8cu+t to)ic of
ar*ument( $hether &is mother $as concei%ed in
ori*ina+ sin" &e ne%er )ronounced marria*e to 6e
the %isi6+e si*n of a thin* in%isi6+e 4 &e ne%er said
a $ord a6out concomitant *race 4 &e instituted
neither mon5s nor inHuisitors 4 &e a))ointed nothin*
of $hat $e see at the )resent da'"
od had *i%en the 5no$+ed*e of 9ust and un9ust(
ri*ht and $ron*( throu*hout a++ the a*es $hich )re3
ceded Christianit'" od ne%er chan*ed nor can
chan*e" The constitution of our sou+s( our )rinci)+es
of reason and mora+it'( $i++ e%er 6e the same" &o$
is %irtue )romoted 6' theo+o*ica+ distinctions( 6'
do*mas founded on those distinctions( 6' )ersecu3
tions founded on those do*masM Nature( terriJed
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 46/453
and horror3struc5 at a++ these 6ar6arous in%entions(
ca++s a+oud to a++ men - !e 9ust( and not )ersecutin*
so)hists"
G= Phi+oso)hica+
?ou read in the #@end3A%esta(# $hich is the
summar' of the +a$s of @oroaster( this admira6+e
ma7im- #When it is dou6tfu+ $hether the action
'ou are a6out to )erform is 9ust or un9ust( a6stain
from doin* it"# What +e*is+ator e%er s)o5e 6etter M
We ha%e not here the s'stem of #)ro6a6+e o)inions(#
in%ented 6' )eo)+e $ho ca++ themse+%es #the So3
ciet' of .esus"#
./STICE"
T&AT #9ustice# is often e7treme+' un9ust( is not
an o6ser%ation mere+' of the )resent da' 4 #summum
9us( summa in9uria(# is one of the most ancient
)ro%er6s in e7istence" There are man' dreadfu+
$a's of 6ein* /n9ust4 as( for e7am)+e( that of
rac5in* the innocent a+as u)on eHui%oca+ e%idence(
and thus incurrin* the *ui+t of sheddin* innocent
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 47/453
6+ood 6' a too stron* re+iance on %ain )resum)tions"
Another method of 6ein* un9ust is condemnin*
to e7ecution a man $ho at most deser%es on+' three
months2 im)risonment4 this s)ecies of in9ustice is
that of t'rants( and )articu+ar+' of fanatics( $ho
a+$a's 6ecome t'rants $hene%er the' o6tain the
)o$er of doin* mischief"
We cannot more com)+ete+' demonstrate this
truth than 6' the +etter of a ce+e6rated 6arrister(
$ritten in ;>>( to the marHuis of !eccariar3one of
the most ce+e6rated )rofessors of 9uris)rudence( at
this time( in Euro)e-
Dictionar'" G;
Letter to the 0arHuis of !eccaria( Professor of Pu63
+ic La$ at 0i+an( on the su69ect of 0" de 0oran3
*ies( ;"
SIR - ?ou are a teacher of +a$s in Ita+'( a coun3
tr' from $hich $e deri%e a++ +a$s e7ce)t those $hich
ha%e 6een transmitted to us 6' our o$n a6surd and
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 48/453
contradictor' customs( the remains of that ancient
6ar6arism( the rust of $hich su6sists to this da' in
one of the most ourishin* 5in*doms of the earth"
?our 6oo5 u)on crimes and )unishments o)ened
the e'es of man' of the +a$'ers of Euro)e $ho had
6een 6rou*ht u) in a6surd and inhuman usa*es 4 and
men 6e*an e%er'$here to 6+ush at Jndin* themse+%es
sti++ $earin* their ancient dress of sa%a*es"
?our o)inion $as reHuested on the dreadfu+ e7e3
cution to $hich t$o 'oun* *ent+emen( 9ust out of
their chi+dhood( had 6een sentenced 4 one of $hom(
ha%in* esca)ed the tortures he $as destined to( has
6ecome a most e7ce++ent o8cer in the ser%ice of the
*reat 5in*( $hi+e the other( $ho had ins)ired the
6ri*htest ho)es( died +i5e a sa*e( 6' a horri6+e death(
$ithout ostentation and $ithout )usi++animit'( sur3
rounded 6' no +ess than J%e e7ecutioners" These
+ads $ere accused of indecenc' in action and $ords(
a fau+t $hich three months2 im)risonment $ou+d
ha%e su8cient+' )unished( and $hich $ou+d ha%e
6een infa++i6+' corrected 6' time" ?ou re)+ied( that
their 9ud*es $ere assassins( and that a++ Euro)e $as
of 'our o)inion"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 49/453
I consu+ted 'ou on the canni6a+ sentences )assed
G Phi+oso)hica+
on a+as( on Sir%en( and 0ont6ai++i4 and 'ou an3
tici)ated the decrees $hich 'ou after$ards issued
from the chief courts and o8cers of +a$ in the 5in*3
dom( $hich 9ustiJed in9ured innocence and re3esta63
+ished the honor of the nation"
I at )resent consu+t 'ou on a cause of a %er' dif3
ferent nature" It is at once ci%i+ and crimina+" It
is the case of a man of Hua+it'( a ma9or3*enera+ in
the arm'( $ho maintains a+one his honor and for3
tune a*ainst a $ho+e fami+' of )oor and o6scure
citi1ens( and a*ainst an immense mu+titude consist3
in* of the dre*s of the )eo)+e( $hose e7ecrations
a*ainst him are echoed throu*h the $ho+e of France"
The )oor fami+' accuses the *enera+ o8cer of ta53
in* from it 6' fraud and %io+ence a hundred thou3
sand cro$ns"
The *enera+ o8cer accuses these )oor )ersons of
tr'in* to o6tain from him a hundred thousand
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 50/453
cro$ns 6' means eHua++' crimina+" The' com)+ain
that the' are not mere+' in dan*er of +osin* an im3
mense )ro)ert'( $hich the' ne%er a))eared to )os3
sess( 6ut a+so of 6ein* o))ressed( insu+ted( and 6eaten
6' the o8cers of 9ustice( $ho com)e++ed them to de3
c+are themse+%es *ui+t' and consent to their o$n ruin
and )unishment" The *enera+ so+emn+' )rotests(
that these im)utations of fraud and %io+ence are atro3
cious ca+umnies" The ad%ocates of the t$o )arties
contradict each other on a++ the facts( on a++ the in3
ductions( and e%en on a++ the reasonin*s 4 their me3
moria+s are ca++ed tissues of fa+sehoods 4 and each
Dictionar' GG
treats the ad%erse )art' as inconsistent and a6surd(
an in%aria6+e )ractice in e%er' dis)ute"
When 'ou ha%e had the *oodness( sir( to read
their memoria+s( $hich I ha%e no$ the honor of
sendin* to 'ou( 'ou $i++( I trust( )ermit me to su*3
*est the di8cu+ties $hich I fee+ in this case 4 the'
are dictated 6' )erfect im)artia+it'" I 5no$ neither
of the )arties( and neither of the ad%ocates 4 6ut ha%3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 51/453
in*( in the course of four and t$ent' 'ears( seen ca+3
umn' and in9ustice so often trium)h( I ma' 6e )er3
mitted to endea%or to )enetrate the +a6'rinth in $hich
these monsters unfortunate+' Jnd she+ter"
Presum)tions a*ainst tfo Verron Fami+'"
i" In the Jrst )+ace( there are four 6i++s( )a'a6+e
to order( for a hundred thousand cro$ns( dra$n $ith
)erfect re*u+arit' 6' an o8cer other$ise dee)+' in3
%o+%ed in de6t 4 the' are )a'a6+e for the 6eneJt of
a $oman of the name of Verron( $ho ca++ed herse+f
the $ido$ of a 6an5er" The' are )resented 6' her
*randson( Du .onHua'( her heir( recent+' admitted
a doctor of +a$s( a+thou*h he is i*norant e%en of or3
tho*ra)h'" Is this enou*hM ?es( in an ordinar'
case it $ou+d 6e so 4 6ut if( in this %er' e7traordinar'
case( there is an e7treme )ro6a6i+it'( that the doc3
tor of +a$s ne%er did and ne%er cou+d carr' the
mone' $hich he )retends to ha%e de+i%ered in his
*randmother2s name 4 if the *randmother( $ho main3
tained herse+f $ith di8cu+t' in a *arret( 6' the mis3
era6+e occu)ation of )a$n6ro5in*( ne%er cou+d ha%e
6een in the )ossession of the hundred thousand
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 52/453
Vo+" it G
GQ Phi+oso)hica+
cro$ns4 if( in short( the *randson and his mother
ha%e s)ontaneous+' confessed( and attested the $rit3
ten confession 6' their actua+ si*natures( that the'
attem)ted to ro6 the *enera+( and that he ne%er re3
cei%ed more than t$e+%e hundred francs instead of
three hundred thousand +i%res 4 in this case( is not
the cause su8cient+' c+eared u)M Is not the )u6+ic
su8cient+' a6+e to 9ud*e from these )re+iminariesM
" I a))ea+ to 'ourse+f( sir( $hether it is )ro63
a6+e that the )oor $ido$ of a )erson un5no$n in
societ'( $ho is said to ha%e 6een a )ett' stoc539o63
6er( and not a 6an5er( cou+d 6e in )ossession of so
considera6+e a sum to +end( at an e7treme ris5( to
an o8cer notorious+' in de6t M The *enera+( in short(
contends( that this 9o66er( the hus6and of the $oman
in Huestion( died inso+%ent 4 that e%en his in%entor'
$as ne%er )aid for 4 that this )retended 6an5er $as
ori*ina++' a 6a5er2s 6o' in the househo+d of the
du5e of Saint3A*nan( the French am6assador in
S)ain4 that he after$ards too5 u) the )rofession
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 53/453
of a 6ro5er at Paris 4 and that he $as com)e++ed 6'
0" &eraut( +ieutenant of )o+ice( to restore certain
)romissor' notes( or 6i++s of e7chan*e( $hich he
had o6tained from some 'oun* man 6' e7tortion 4
such the fata+it' im)endin* o%er this $retched fam3
i+' from 6i++s of e7chan*e : Shou+d a++ these state3
ments 6e )ro%ed( do 'ou concei%e it at a )ro6a6+e
that this fami+' +ent a hundred thousand cro$ns to
an in%o+%ed o8cer $ith $hom the' $ere u)on no
terms of friendshi) or acHuaintanceM
Dictionar'" G
G" Do 'ou consider it )ro6a6+e( that the 9o66er2s
*randson( the doctor of +a$s( shou+d ha%e *one on
foot no +ess than J%e +ea*ues( .ia%e made t$ent'3
si7 9ourne's( ha%e mounted and descended three
thousand ste)s( a++ in the s)ace of J%e hours( $ithout
an' sto))in*( to carr' #secret+'# t$e+%e thousand
four hundred and t$ent'3J%e +ouis d2or to a man( to
$hom( on the fo++o$in* da'( he )u6+ic+' *i%es t$e+%e
hundred francsM Does not such an account a))ear
to 6e in%ented $ith an utter deJcienc' of in*enuit'(
and e%en of common senseM Do those $ho 6e+ie%e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 54/453
it a))ear to 6e sa*esM What can 'ou thin5( then(
of those $ho so+emn+' a8rm it $ithout 6e+ie%in* it M
Q" Is it )ro6a6+e( that 'oun* Du .onHua'( the
doctor of +a$s( and his o$n mother( shou+d ha%e
made and si*ned a dec+aration( u)on oath( 6efore
a su)erior 9ud*e( that this $ho+e account $as fa+se(
that the' had ne%er carried the *o+d( and that the'
$ere confessed ro*ues( if in fact the' had not 6een
such( and if *rief and remorse had not e7torted
this confession of their crimeM And $hen the' af3
ter$ards sa'( that the' had made this confession 6e3
fore the commissar'( on+' 6ecause the' had )re3
%ious+' 6een assau+ted and 6eaten at the house of
a )roctor( $ou+d such an e7cuse 6e deemed 6' 'ou
reasona6+e or a6surd M
Can an'thin* 6e c+earer than that( if this doctor
of +a$s had rea++' 6een assau+ted and 6eaten in an'
other house on account of this cause( he shou+d ha%e
demanded 9ustice of the commissar' for this %io+ence(
G> Phi+oso)hica+
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 55/453
instead of free+' si*nin*( to*ether $ith his mother(
that the' $ere 6oth *ui+t' of a crime $hich the'
had not committedM
Wou+d it 6e admissi6+e for them to sa'- We
si*ned our condemnation 6ecause $e thou*ht that
the *enera+ had 6ou*ht o%er a*ainst us a++ the )o+ice
o8cers and a++ the chief 9ud*esM
Can *ood sense +isten for a moment to such ar*u3
ments M Wou+d an' one ha%e dared to su**est such
e%en in the da's of our 6ar6arism( $hen $e had
neither +a$s( nor manners( nor cu+ti%ated 2reasonM
If I ma' credit the %er' circumstantia+ memoria+s
of the *enera+( the Verrons( $hen )ut in )rison u)on
his accusation( at Jrst )ersisted in the confession of
their crime" The' $rote t$o +etters to the )erson
$hom the' had made the de)ositar' of the 6i++s e73
torted from the *enera+ 4 the' $ere terriJed at the
contem)+ation of their *ui+t( $hich the' sa$ mi*ht
conduct them to the *a++e's or to the *i66et" The'
after$ards *ain more Jrmness and conJdence" The
)ersons $ith $hom the' $ere to di%ide the fruit
of their %i++ain' encoura*e and su))ort them4 and
the attractions of the %ast sum in their contem)+a3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 56/453
tion seduce( hurr'( and ur*e them on to )erse%ere
in the ori*ina+ char*e" The' ca++ in to their assist3
ance a++ the dar5 frauds and )ettifo**in* chicaner'
to $hich the' can *ain access( to c+ear them from a
crime $hich the' had themse+%es actua++' admitted"
The' a%ai+ themse+%es $ith de7terit' of the dis3
tresses to $hich the in%o+%ed o8cer $as occasiona++'
Dictionar'" G
reduced( to *i%e a co+or of )ro6a6i+it' to his attem)t3
in* the re3esta6+ishment of his aairs 6' the ro66er'
or theft of a hundred thousand cro$ns" The'
rouse the commiseration( of the )o)u+ace( $hich
at Paris is easi+' stimu+ated and fren1ied" The' a)3
)ea+ successfu++' for com)assion to the mem6ers of
the 6ar( $ho ma5e it a )oint of indis)ensa6+e dut' to
em)+o' their e+oHuence in their 6eha+f( and to su)3
)ort the $ea5 a*ainst the )o$erfu+( the )eo)+e
a*ainst the no6i+it'" The c+earest case 6ecomes in
time the most o6scure" A sim)+e cause( $hich the
)o+ice ma*istrate $ou+d ha%e terminated in four
da's( *oes on increasin* for more than a $ho+e 'ear
6' the mire and J+th introduced into it throu*h the
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 57/453
num6er+ess channe+s of chicaner'( interest( and )art'
s)irit" ?ou $i++ )ercei%e that the $ho+e of this
statement is a summar' of memoria+s or documents
that a))eared in this ce+e6rated cause"
Presum)tions in fa%or of the V err on Fami+'"
We sha++ consider the defence of the *randmother(
the mother( and the *randson doctor of +a$s(
a*ainst these stron* )resum)tions"
i" The hundred thousand cro$ns or %er'
near+' that sum( $hich it is )retended the $ido$
Verron ne%er $as )ossessed of( $ere former+' made
o%er to her 6' her hus6and( in trust( to*ether $ith
the si+%er )+ate" This de)osit $as #secret+'# 6rou*ht
to her si7 months after her hus6and2s death( 6' a
man of the name of Chotard" She )+aced them out(
and a+$a's #secret+'(# $ith a notar' ca++ed i+et(
G Phi+oso)hica+
$ho restored them to her( sti++ #secret+'(# in ;>="
She had therefore( in fact( the hundred thousand
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 58/453
cro$ns $hich her ad%ersar' )retends she ne%er )os3
sessed"
" She died in e7treme o+d a*e( $hi+e the cause
$as *oin* on( )rotestin*( after recei%in* the sacra3
ment( that these hundred thousand cro$ns $ere car3
ried in *o+d to the *enera+ o8cer 6' her *randson(
in t$ent'3si7 9ourne's on foot( on Se)t" G( ;;"
G" It is not at a++ )ro6a6+e( that an o8cer ac3
customed to 6orro$in*( and 6ro5en do$n in circum3
stances( shou+d ha%e *i%en 6i++s )a'a6+e to order for
the sum of three hundred thousand +i%res( to a
)erson un5no$n to him( un+ess he had actua++' re3
cei%ed that sum"
Q" There are $itnesses $ho sa$ counted out and
ran*ed in order the 6a*s J++ed $ith this *o+d( and
$ho sa$ the doctor of +a$s carr' it to the *enera+
on foot( under his *reat coat( in t$ent'3si7 9ourne's(
occu)'in* the s)ace of J%e hours" And he made
these t$ent'3si7 astonishin* 9ourne's mere+' to sat3
isf' the *enera+( $ho had )articu+ar+' reHuested se3
crec'"
" The doctor of +a$s adds - #Our *randmother
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 59/453
and ourse+%es +i%ed( it is true( in a *arret( and $e
+ent a +itt+e mone' u)on )+ed*es 4 6ut $e +i%ed so
mere+' u)on a )rinci)+e of 9udicious econom'4 the
o69ect $as to 6u' for me the o8ce of a counse++or
of )ar+iament( at a time $hen the ma*istrac' $as
)urchasa6+e" It is true that m' three sisters *ain
Dictionar'" G<
their su6sistence 6' need+e3$or5 and em6roider'4
the reason of $hich $as( that m' *randmother 5e)t
a++ her )ro)ert' for me" It is true that I ha%e 5e)t
com)an' on+' $ith )rocuresses( coachmen( and +ac53
e's- I ac5no$+ed*e that I s)ea5 and that I $rite
in their st'+e 4 6ut I mi*ht not on that account 6e
+ess $orth' of 6ecomin* a ma*istrate( 6' ma5in*(
after a++( a *ood use of m' time"#
>" A++ $orth' )ersons ha%e commiserated our
misfortune" 0" Au6our*( a farmer3*enera+( as re3
s)ecta6+e as an' in Paris( has *enerous+' ta5en our
side( and his %oice has o6tained for us that of the
)u6+ic"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 60/453
This defence a))ears in some )art of it )+ausi6+e"
Their ad%ersar' refutes it in the fo++o$in* manner -
Ar*uments of the 0a9or3enera+ a*ainst those of
the Verron Fami+'"
i" The stor' of the de)osit must 6e considered
6' e%er' man of sense as eHua++' fa+se and ridicu+ous
$ith that of the si73and3t$ent' 9ourne's on foot"
If the )oor 9o66er( the hus6and of the o+d $oman(
had intended to *i%e at his death so much mone' to
his $ife( he mi*ht ha%e done it in a direct $a' from
hand to hand( $ithout the inter%ention of a third
)erson"
If he had 6een )ossessed of the )retended si+%er
)+ate( one3ha+f of it must ha%e 6e+on*ed to the $ife(
as eHua+ o$ner of their united *oods" She $ou+d
not ha%e remained Huiet for the s)ace of si7 months(
Q= Phi+oso)hica+
in a )a+tr' +od*in* of t$o hundred francs a 'ear(
$ithout rec+aimin* her )+ate( and e7ertin* her ut3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 61/453
most eorts to o6tain her ri*ht" Chotard a+so( the
a++e*ed friend of her hus6and and herse+f( $ou+d
not ha%e suered her to remain for si7 +on* months
in a state of such *reat indi*ence and an7iet'"
There $as( in rea+it'( a )erson of the name of
Chotard 4 6ut he $as a man ruined 6' de6ts and de3
6aucher' 4 a fraudu+ent 6an5ru)t $ho em6e11+ed
fort' thousand cro$ns from the ta7 o8ce of the
farmers3*enera+ in $hich he he+d a situation( and
$ho is not +i5e+' to ha%e *i%en u) a hundred thou3
sand cro$ns to the *randmother of the doctor in
+a$s"
The $ido$ Verron )retends( that she em)+o'ed
her mone' at interest( a+$a's it a))ears in secrec'(
$ith a notar' of the name of i+et( 6ut no trace of
this fact can 6e found in the o8ce of that notar'"
She dec+ares( that this notar' returned her the
mone'( sti++ secret+'( in the 'ear ;>=- he $as at
that time dead"
If a++ these facts 6e true( it must 6e admitted that
the cause of Du .onHua' and the Verrons( 6ui+t on
a foundation of such ridicu+ous +ies( must ine%ita6+'
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 62/453
fa++ to the *round"
" The $i++ of $ido$ Verron( made ha+f an hour
6efore her death( $ith death and the narre of od
on her +i)s( is( to a++ a))earance( in itse+f a res)ect3
a6+e and e%en )ious document" !ut if it 6e rea++' in
the num6er of those )ious thin*s $hich are e%er'
Dictionar'" Q;
da' o6ser%ed to 6e mere+' instrumenta+ to crime
if this +ender u)on )+ed*es( $hi+e recommendin* her
sou+ to od( manifest+' +ied to od( $hat im)ortance
or $ei*ht can the document 6rin* $ith it M Is it not
rather the stron*est )roof of im)osture and %i++ain' M
The o+d $oman had a+$a's 6een made to state(
$hi+e the suit $as carried on in her name( that she
)ossessed on+' this sum of one hundred thousand
cro$ns $hich it $as intended to ro6 her of 4 that she
ne%er had more than that sum 4 and 'et( 6eho+d : in
her $a++ she mentions J%e hundred thousand +i%res
of her )ro)ert' : &ere are t$o hundred thousand
francs more than an' one e7)ected( and here is the
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 63/453
$ido$ Verron con%icted out of her o$n mouth"
Thus( in this sin*u+ar cause( does the at once atro3
cious and ridicu+ous im)osture of the fami+' 6rea5
out on e%er' side( durin* the $oman2s +ife( and e%en
$hen she is $ithin the *ras) of death"
G" It is )ro6a6+e( and it is e%en in e%idence( that
the *enera+ $ou+d not trust his 6i++s for a hundred
thousand cro$ns to a doctor of $hom he 5ne$ +itt+e
or nothin*( $ithout ha%in* an ac5no$+ed*ment from
him" &e did( ho$e%er( commit this inad%ertence(
$hich is the fau+t of an unsus)ectin* and no6+e
heart 4 he $as +ed astra' 6' the 'outh( 6' the can3
dor( 6' the a))arent *enerosit' of a man not more
than t$ent'3se%en 'ears of a*e( $ho $as on the )oint
of 6ein* raised to the ma*istrac'( $ho actua++'( u)on
an ur*ent occasion( +ent him t$e+%e hundred francs(
and $ho )romised in the course of a fe$ da's to o63
Q Phi+oso)hica+
tain for him( from an o)u+ent com)an'( the sum of
a hundred thousand cro$ns" &ere is the 5not and
di8cu+t' of the cause" We must strict+' e7amine
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 64/453
$hether it 6e )ro6a6+e( that a man( $ho is admitted
to ha%e recei%ed near+' a hundred thousand cro$ns
in *o+d( shou+d on the %er' mornin* after( come in
*reat haste( as for a most indis)ensa6+e occasion(
to the man $ho the e%enin* 6efore had ad%anced
him t$e+%e thousand four hundred and t$ent'3J%e
+ouis d2or"
There is not the s+i*htest )ro6a6i+it' of his doin*
so" It is sti++ +ess )ro6a6+e( as $e ha%e a+read' o63
ser%ed( that a man of distinction( a *enera+ o8cer(
and the father of a fami+'( in return for the in%a+3
ua6+e and a+most un)recedented 5indness of +endin*
him a hundred thousand cro$ns( shou+d( instead of
the sincerest *ratitude to his 6enefactor( a6so+ute+'
endea%or to *et him han*ed 4 and this on the )art
of a man $ho had nothin* more to do than to a$ait
Huiet+' the distant e7)irations of the )eriods of )a'3
ment 4 $ho $as under no tem)tation( in order to *ain
time( to commit such a )roi*ate and atrocious %i+3
+ain'( and $ho had ne%er in fact committed an' %i+3
+ain' at a++" Sure+' it is more natura+ to thin5 that
the man( $hose *randfather $as a )ettifo**in*( )a+3
tr' 9o66er( and $hose *randmother $as a $retched
+ender of sma++ sums u)on the )+ed*es of" a6so+ute
miser'( shou+d ha%e a%ai+ed himse+f of the 6+ind con3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 65/453
Jdence of an unsus)ectin* so+dier( to e7tort from
him a hundred thousand cro$ns( and that he )rom3
Dictionar'" QG
ised to di%ide this sum $ith the de)ra%ed and a6om3
ina6+e accom)+ices of his 6aseness"
Q" There are $itnesses $ho de)ose in fa%or of
Du .onHua' and $ido$ Verron" Let us consider
$ho those $itnesses are( and $hat the' de)ose"
In the Jrst )+ace( there is a $oman of the name of
Tourtera( a 6ro5er( $ho su))orted the $ido$ in her
)edd+in*( insi*niJcant concern of )a$n6ro5in*( and
$ho has 6een J%e times in the hos)ita+ in conseHuence
of the scanda+ous im)urities of her +ife4 $hich can
6e )ro%ed $ith the utmost ease"
There is a coachman ca++ed i+6ert( $ho( some3
times Jrm( at other times trem6+in* in his $ic5ed3
ness( dec+ared to a +ad' of the name of Petit( in the
)resence of si7 )ersons( that he had 6een su6orned
6' Du .onHua'" &e su6seHuent+' inHuired of man'
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 66/453
other )ersons( $hether he shou+d 'et 6e in time to
retract( and reiterated e7)ressions of this nature
6efore $itnesses"
Settin* aside( ho$e%er( $hat has 6een stated of
i+6ert2s dis)osition to retract( it is %er' )ossi6+e
that he mi*ht 6e decei%ed( and ma' not 6e char*ea6+e
$ith fa+sehood and )er9ur'" It is )ossi6+e( that he
mi*ht see mone' at the )a$n6ro5er2s( and that he
mi*ht 6e to+d( and mi*ht 6e+ie%e( that three hun3
dred thousand +i%res $ere there" Nothin* is more
dan*erous in man' )ersons than a Huic5 and heated
ima*ination( $hich actua++' ma5es men thin5 that
the' ha%e seen $hat it $as a6so+ute+' im)ossi6+e for
them to see"
QQ Phi+oso)hica+
Then comes a man of the name of Au6riot( a
*odson of the )rocuress Tourtera( and com)+ete+'
under her *uidance" &e de)oses( that he sa$( in
one of the streets of Paris( on Se)t" G( ;;( Doc3
tor Du .onHua' in his *reat coat( carr'in* 6a*s"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 67/453
Sure+' there is here no conc+usi%e )roof that the
doctor on that da' made t$ent'3si7 9ourne's on foot(
and tra%e++ed o%er J%e +ea*ues of *round( to de+i%er
#secret+'# t$e+%e thousand four hundred and t$en3
t'3J%e +ouis d2or( e%en admittin* a++ that this testi3
mon' states to 6e true" It a))ears c+ear( that Du
.onHua' $ent this 9ourne' to the *enera+( and that
he s)o5e to him 4 and it a))ears )ro6a6+e( that he
decei%ed him 4 6ut it is not c+ear that Au6riot sa$
him *o and return thirteen times in one mornin*"
It is sti++ +ess c+ear( that this $itness cou+d at that
time see so man' circumstances occurrin* in the
street( as he $as actua++' +a6orin* under a disor3
der $hich there is no necessit' to name( and on that
%er' c+a' under$ent for it the se%ere o)eration of
medicine( $ith his +e*s totterin*( his head s$e++ed(
and his ton*ue han*in* ha+f out of his mouth"
This $as not )recise+' the moment for runnin* into
the street to see si*hts" Wou+d his friend Du .on3
Hua' ha%e said to him - Come and ris5 'our +ife( to
see me tra%erse a distance of J%e +ea*ues +oaded $ith
*o+d - I am *oin* to de+i%er the $ho+e fortune of
m' fami+'( secret+'( to a man o%er$he+med $ith
de6ts 4 I $ish to ha%e( )ri%ate+'( as a $itness( a
)erson of 'our characterM This is not e7ceedin*+'
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 68/453
Dictionar'" QG
)ro6a6+e" The sur*eon $ho a))+ied the medicine
to the $itness Au6riot on this occasion( states that
he $as 6' no means in a situation to *o out4 and
the son of the sur*eon( in his interro*ator'( refers
the case to the academ' of sur*er'"
!ut e%en admittin* that a man of a )articu+ar+'
ro6ust constitution cou+d ha%e *one out and ta5en
some turns in the street in this dis*racefu+ and dread3
fu+ situation( $hat cou+d it ha%e si*niJed to the )oint
in Huestion M Did he see Du .onHua' ma5e t$ent'3
si7 9ourne's 6et$een his *arret and the *enera+2s
hote+ M Did he see t$e+%e thousand four hundred and
t$ent'3J%e +ouis d2or carried 6' him M Was an' in3
di%idua+ $hate%er a $itness to this )rodi*' $e++
$orth' the #Thousand and One Ni*hts#M 0ost
certain+' not4 no )erson $hate%er" What is the
amount( then( of a++ his e%idence on the su69ectM
" That the dau*hter of 0rs" Verron( in her *ar3
ret( ma' ha%e sometimes 6orro$ed sma++ sums on
)+ed*es 4 that 0rs" Verron ma' ha%e +ent them( in
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 69/453
order to o6tain and sa%e a )roJt( to ma5e her *rand3
son a counse++or of )ar+iament( has nothin* at a++
to do $ith the su6stance of the case in Huestion" In
deJance of a++ this( it $i++ e%er 6e e%ident( that this
ma*istrate 6' antici)ation did not tra%erse the J%e
+ea*ues to carr' to the *enera+ the hundred thousand
cro$ns( and that the *enera+ ne%er recei%ed them"
>" A )erson named Au6our* comes for$ard( not
mere+' as a $itness( 6ut as a )rotector and 6enefac3
tor of o))ressed innocence" The ad%ocates of the
Q> Phi+oso)hica+
Verron fami+' e7to+ this man as a citi1en of rare
and intre)id %irtue" &e 6ecame fee+in*+' a+i%e to
the misfortunes of Doctor Du .onHua'( his mother(
and *randmother( a+thou*h he had no acHuaintance
$ith them4 and oered them his credit and his
)urse( $ithout an' other o69ect than that of assistin*
)ersecuted merit"
/)on e7amination it is found( that this hero of
disinterested 6ene%o+ence is a contem)ti6+e $retch
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 70/453
$ho 6e*an the $or+d as a +ac5e'( $as then success3
i%e+' an u)ho+sterer( a 6ro5er( and a 6an5ru)t( and
is no$( +i5e 0rs" Verron and Tourtera( 6' )rofession
a )a$n6ro5er" &e ies to the assistance of )ersons
of his o$n )rofession" The $oman Tourtera( in the
Jrst )+ace( *a%e him t$ent'3J%e +ouis d2or( to inter3
est his )ro6it' and 5indness in assistin* a deso+ate
fami+'" The *enerous Au6our* had the *reatness
of sou+ to ma5e an a*reement $ith the o+d *rand3
mother( a+most $hen she $as d'in*( 6' $hich she
*i%es him Jfteen thousand cro$ns( on condition of
his underta5in* to defra' the e7)enses of the cause"
&e e%en ta5es the )recaution to ha%e this 6ar*ain
noticed and conJrmed in the $i++( dictated( or )re3
tended to 6e dictated( 6' this o+d $ido$ of the 9o63
6er on her death36ed" This res)ecta6+e and %en3
era6+e man then ho)es one da' to di%ide $ith some
of the $itnesses the s)oi+s that are to 6e,o6tained
from the *enera+" It is the ma*nanimous heart of
Au6our* that has formed this disinterested scheme 4
it is he $ho has conducted the cause $hich he seems
Dictionar'" Q
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 71/453
to ha%e ta5en u) as a )atrimon'" &e 6e+ie%ed the
6i++s )a'a6+e to order $ou+d infa++i6+' 6e )aid" &e
is in fact a recei%er $ho )artici)ates in the )+under
eected 6' ro66ers( and $ho a))ro)riates the 6etter
)art to himse+f"
Such are the re)+ies of the *enera+ - I neither su63
tract from them nor add to them I sim)+' state
them" I ha%e thus e7)+ained to 'ou( sir( the $ho+e
su6stance of the cause( and stated a++ the stron*est
ar*uments on 6oth sides"
I reHuest 'our o)inion of the sentence $hich
ou*ht to 6e )ronounced( if matters shou+d remain in
the same state( if the truth cannot 6e irre%oca6+' o63
tained from one or other of the )arties( and made to
a))ear )erfect+' $ithout a c+oud"
The reasons of the *enera+ o8cer are thus far con3
%incin*" Natura+ eHuit' is on his side" This nat3
ura+ eHuit'( $hich od has esta6+ished in the hearts
of a++ men( is the 6asis of a++ +a$" Ou*ht $e to de3
stro' this foundation of a++ 9ustice( 6' sentencin*
a man to )a' a hundred thousand cro$ns $hich he
does not a))ear to o$eM
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 72/453
&e dre$ 6i++s for a hundred thousand cro$ns(
in the %ain ho)e that he shou+d recei%e the mone' 4
he ne*otiated $ith a 'oun* man $hom he did not
5no$( 9ust as he $ou+d ha%e done $ith the 6an5er
of the 5in* or of the em)ress3Hueen" Shou+d his 6i++s
ha%e more %a+idit' than his reasonsM A man cer3
tain+' cannot o$e $hat he has not recei%ed" !i++s(
)o+icies( 6onds( a+$a's im)+' that the corres)ondin*
Q Phi+oso)hica+
sums ha%e 6een de+i%ered and had4 6ut if there is
e%idence that no mone' has 6een had and de+i%ered(
there can 6e no o6+i*ation to return or )a' an'" If
there is $ritin* a*ainst $ritin*( document a*ainst
document( the +ast dated cance+s the former ones"
!ut in the )resent case the +ast $ritin* is that of Du
.onHua' and his mother( and it states that the o))o3
site )art' in the cause ne%er recei%ed from them a
hundred thousand cro$ns( and that the' are cheats
and im)ostors"
What : 6ecause the' ha%e disa%o$ed the truth of
their confession( $hich the' state to ha%e 6een made
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 73/453
in conseHuence of their ha%in* recei%ed a 6+o$ or
an assau+t( sha++ another man2s )ro)ert' 6e ad9ud*ed
to them M
I $i++ su))ose for a moment $hat is 6' no means
)ro6a6+e( that the 9ud*es( 6ound do$n 6' forms(
$i++ sentence the *enera+ to )a' $hat in fact he does
not o$e 4 $i++ the' not in this case destro' his re)3
utation as $e++ as his fortuneM Wi++ not a++ $ho
ha%e sided a*ainst him in this most sin*u+ar ad%en3
ture( char*e him $ith ca+umnious+' accusin* his ad3
%ersaries of a crime of $hich he is himse+f *ui+t'M
&e $i++ +ose his honor( in their estimation( in +osin*
his )ro)ert'" &e $i++ ne%er 6e acHuitted 6ut in the
9ud*ments of those $ho e7amine )rofound+'" The
num6er of these is a+$a's sma++" Where ate the men
to 6e found $ho ha%e +eisure( attention( ca)acit'(
im)artia+it'( to consider an7ious+' e%er' as)ect and
6earin* of a cause in $hich the' are not themse+%es
Dictionar'" Q<
interestedM The' 9ud*e in the same $a' as our an3
cient )ar+iament 9ud*ed of 6oo5s that is( $ithout
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 74/453
readin* them"
?ou( sir( are fu++' acHuainted $ith this( and 5no$
that men *enera++' 9ud*e of e%er'thin* 6' )re9udice(
hearsa'( and chance" No one reects that the cause
of a citi1en ou*ht to interest the $ho+e 6od' of citi3
1ens( and that $e ma' ourse+%es ha%e to endure in
des)air the same fate $hich $e )ercei%e( $ith e'es
and fee+in*s of indierence( fa++in* hea%i+' u)on
him" We $rite and comment e%er' da' u)on the
9ud*ments )assed 6' the senate of Rome and the
areo)a*us of Athens 4 6ut $e thin5 not for a mo3
ment of $hat )asses 6efore our o$n tri6una+s"
?ou( sir( $ho com)rehend a++ Euro)e in 'our
researches and decisions( $i++( I sincere+' ho)e(
dei*n to communicate to me a )ortion of 'our +i*ht"
It is )ossi6+e( certain+'( that the forma+ities and chi3
caner' connected $ith +a$ )roceedin*s( and $ith
$hich I am +itt+e con%ersant( ma' occasion to the
*enera+ the +oss of the cause in court 4 6ut it a))ears
to me that he must *ain it at the tri6una+ of an en3
+i*htened )u6+ic( that a$fu+ and accurate 9ud*e
$ho )ronounces after dee) in%esti*ation( and $ho is
the Jna+ dis)oser of character"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 75/453
KIN"
KIN( 6asi+eus( t'rannos( re7( du7( im)erator(
me+ch( 6aa+( 6e+( )haraoh( e++( shadai( adonai( sha5(
so)hi( )adisha( 6o*dan( c+ia1an( 5an( 5ra++( 5on*(
Vo+" ii Q
= Phi+oso)hica+
5oni*( etc" a++ e7)ressions $hich si*nif' the same
o8ce( 6ut $hich con%e' %er' dierent ideas"
In reece( neither #6asi+eus# nor #t'rannos# e%er
con%e'ed the idea of a6so+ute )o$er" &e $ho $as
a6+e o6tained this )o$er( 6ut it $as a+$a's o6tained
a*ainst the inc+ination of the )eo)+e"
It is c+ear( that amon* the Romans 5in*s $ere
not des)otic" The +ast TarHuin deser%ed to 6e e73
)e++ed( and $as so" We ha%e no )roof that the )ett'
chiefs of Ita+' $ere e%er a6+e( at their )+easure( to
)resent a 6o$strin* to the Jrst man of the state( as
is no$ done to a %i+e Tur5 in his sera*+io( and +i5e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 76/453
6ar6arous s+a%es( sti++ more im6eci+e( suer him to
use it $ithout com)+aint"
There $as no 5in* on this side the A+)s( and in
the North( at the time $e 6ecame acHuainted $ith this
+ar*e Huarter of the $or+d" The Cim6ri( $ho marched
to$ards Ita+'( and $ho $ere e7terminated 6' 0a3
rius( $ere +i5e famished $o+%es( $ho issued from
those forests $ith their fema+es and $he+)s" As
to a cro$ned head amon* these anima+s( or orders
on the )art of a secretar' of state( of a *rand 6ut3
+er( of a chance++or an' notion of ar6itrar' ta7es(
commissaries( Jsca+ edicts( etc" the' 5ne$ no
more of an' of these than of the %es)ers and the
o)era"
It is certain that *o+d and si+%er( coined and un3
coined( form an admira6+e means of )+acin* him $ho
has them not( in the )o$er of him $ho has found
out the secret of accumu+ation" It is for the +atter
Dictionar'" ;
a+one to )ossess *reat o8cers( *uards( coo5s( *ir+s(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 77/453
$omen( 9ai+ers( a+moners( )a*es( and so+diers"
It $ou+d 6e %er' di8cu+t to insure o6edience $ith
nothin* to 6esto$ 6ut shee) and shee)3s5ins" It is
a+so %er' +i5e+'( after a++ the re%o+utions of our *+o6e(
that it $as the art of $or5in* meta+s $hich ori*i3
na++' made 5in*s( as it is the art of castin* cannon
$hich no$ maintains them"
Caesar $as ri*ht $hen he said( that $ith *o+d $e
ma' )rocure men( and $ith men acHuire *o+d"
This secret had 6een 5no$n for a*es in Asia and
E*')t( $here the )rinces and the )riests shared the
6eneJt 6et$een them"
The )rince said to the )riest- Ta5e this *o+d(
and in return u)ho+d m' )o$er( and )ro)hes' in m'
fa%or 4 I $i++ 6e anointed( and thou sha+t anoint me 4
constitute orac+es( manufacture mirac+es 4 thou sha+t
6e $e++ )aid for th' +a6or( )ro%ided that I am a+$a's
master" The )riest( thus o6tainin* +and and $ea+th(
)ro)hesies for himse+f( ma5es the orac+es s)ea5 for
himse+f( chases the so%erei*n from the throne( and
%er' often ta5es his )+ace" Such is the histor' of
the shotim of E*')t( the ma*i of Persia( the sooth3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 78/453
sa'ers of !a6'+on( the cha1in of S'ria if I mista5e
the name it amounts to +itt+e a++ $hich ho+' )er3
sons sou*ht to ru+e" Wars 6et$een the throne and
the a+tar ha%e in fact e7isted in a++ countries( e%en
amon* the misera6+e .e$s"
We( inha6itants of the tem)erate 1one of Euro)e(
ha%e 5no$n this $e++ for a do1en centuries" Our
Phi+oso)hica+
minds not 6ein* so tem)erate as our c+imate( $e
$e++ 5no$ $hat it has cost us" o+d and si+%er form
so entire+' the )rimum mo6i+e of the ho+' connection
6et$een so%erei*nt' and re+i*ion( that man' of our
5in*s sti++ send it to Rome( $here it is sei1ed and
shared 6' )riests as soon as it arri%es"
When( in this eterna+ conict for dominion( +ead3
ers ha%e 6ecome )o$erfu+( each has e7hi6ited his
)re3eminence in a mode of his o$n" It $as a crime
to s)it in the )resence of the 5in* of the 0edes"
The earth must 6e stric5en nine times 6' the forehead
in the )resence of the em)eror of China" A 5in* of
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 79/453
En*+and ima*ines that he cannot ta5e a *+ass of
6eer un+ess it 6e )resented on the 5nees" Another
5in* $i++ ha%e his ri*ht foot sa+uted( and a++ $i++ ta5e
the mone' of their )eo)+e" In some countries the
5ra++( or cha1in( is a++o$ed an income( as in Po+and(
S$eden( and reat !ritain" In others( a )iece of
)a)er is su8cient for his treasur' to o6tain a++ that
it reHuires"
Since $e $rite u)on the ri*hts of the )eo)+e( on
ta7ation( on customs( etc"( +et us endea%or( 6' )ro3
found reasonin*( to esta6+ish the no%e+ ma7im( that
a she)herd ou*ht to shear his shee)( and not to a'
them"
As to the due +imits of the )rero*ati%es of 5in*s(
and of the +i6ert' of the )eo)+e( I recommend 'ou to
e7amine that Huestion at 'our ease in some hote+ in
the to$n of Amsterdam"
Dictionar'" G
KISS"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 80/453
I ASK )ardon of 'oun* +adies and *ent+emen( for
the' $i++ not Jnd here $hat the' ma' )ossi6+' e73
)ect" This artic+e is on+' for +earned and serious
)eo)+e( and $i++ suit %er' fe$ of them"
There is too much of 5issin* in the comedies of
the time of 0o+iere" The %a+ets are a+$a's reHuest3
in* 5isses from the $aitin*3$omen( $hich is e7ceed3
in*+' at and disa*reea6+e( es)ecia++' $hen the actors
are u*+' and must necessari+' e7hi6it a*ainst the
*rain"
If the reader is fond of 5isses( +et him )eruse the
#Pastor Fido# - there is an entire chorus $hich treats
on+' of 5isses( and the )iece itse+f is founded on+'
on a 5iss $hich 0irti++o one da' 6esto$s on the fair
Amar'++is( in a *ame at 6+indman2s 6u #un 6acio
mo+to sa)orito"#
In a cha)ter on 5issin* 6' .ohn de +a Casa( arch3
6isho) of !ene%ento( he sa's( that )eo)+e ma' 5iss
from the head to the foot" &e com)+ains( ho$e%er(
of +on* noses( and recommends +adies $ho )ossess
such to ha%e +o%ers $ith short ones"
To 5iss $as the ordinar' manner of sa+utation
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 81/453
throu*hout a++ antiHuit'" P+utarch re+ates( that the
cons)irators( 6efore the' 5i++ed Caesar( 5issed his
face( his hands( and his 6osom" Tacitus o6ser%es(
that $hen his father3in3+a$( A*rico+a( returned to
Rome( Domitian 5issed him co+d+'( said nothin* to
him( and +eft him disre*arded in the surroundin*
Q Phi+oso)hica+
cro$d" An inferior( $ho cou+d not as)ire to 5iss
his su)erior( 5issed his o$n hand( and the +atter re3
turned the sa+ute in a simi+ar manner( if he thou*ht
)ro)er"
The 5iss $as e%er used in the $orshi) of the *ods"
.o6( in his )ara6+e( $hich is )ossi6+' the o+dest of our
5no$n 6oo5s( sa's that he had not adored the sun
and moon +i5e the other Ara6s( or suered his mouth
to 5iss his hand to them"
In the West there remains of this ci%i+it' on+' the
sim)+e and innocent )ractice 'et tau*ht in countr'
)+aces to chi+dren that of 5issin* their ri*ht hands
in return for a su*ar3)+um"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 82/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 83/453
$ho is a 0oor( *i%es t$o 5isses to his $ife 6efore
he stran*+es her" This a))ears a6omina6+e to or3
der+' )ersons( 6ut the )artisans of Sha5es)eare sa'(
that it is a Jne s)ecimen of nature( es)ecia++' in a
0oor"
When .ohn a+eas Sfor1a $as assassinated in the
cathedra+ of 0i+an( on St" Ste)hen2s da'4 the t$o
0edicis( in the church of Re)arata4 Admira+ Co3
+i*ni( the )rince of Oran*e( 0arsha+ d2Ancre( the
6rothers De Witt( and so man' others( there $as
at +east no 5issin*"
Amon* the ancients there $as somethin*( I 5no$
not $hat( s'm6o+ica+ and sacred attached to the 5iss(
since the statues of the *ods $ere 5issed( as a+so their
6eards( $hen the scu+)tors re)resented them $ith
6eards" The initiated 5issed one another in the m's3
teries of Ceres( in si*n of concord"
The Jrst Christians( ma+e and fema+e( 5issed $ith
the mouth at their A*a)se( or +o%e3feasts" The' 6e3
sto$ed the3ho+' 5iss( the 5iss of )eace( the 6rother+'
and sister+' 5iss( #ha*ion )hi+ema"# This custom
+asted for four centuries( and $as Jna++' a6o+ished
in distrust of the conseHuences" It $as this custom(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 84/453
these 5isses of )eace( these +o%e3feasts( these a))e++a3
tions of 6rother and sister( $hich dre$ on the Chris3
tians( $hi+e +itt+e 5no$n( those im)utations of de3
6aucher' 6esto$ed u)on them 6' the )riests of .u3
)iter and the )riestesses of Vesta" We read in Pe3
tronius and in other authors( that the disso+ute
ca++ed one another 6rother and sister4 and it $as
> Phi+oso)hica+
thou*ht( that amon* Christians the same +icentious3
ness $as intended" The' innocent+' *a%e occasion
for the scanda+ u)on themse+%es"
In the commencement( se%enteen dierent Chris3
tian societies e7isted( as there had 6een nine amon*
the .e$s( inc+udin* the t$o 5inds of Samaritans"
Those 6odies $hich considered themse+%es the most
orthodo7 accused the others of inconcei%a6+e im)u3
rities" The term #*nostic(# at Jrst so honora6+e(
and $hich si*niJes the +earned( en+i*htened( )ure(
6ecame an e)ithet of horror and of contem)t( and a
re)roach of heres'" St" E)i)hanius( in the third
centur'( )retended that the ma+es and fema+es at
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 85/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 86/453
Hueens( e%en in S)ain( thou*h $hat is sin*u+ar
not in France( $here the +adies ha%e a+$a's had more
+i6erties than e+se$here 4 6ut e%er' countr' has its
ceremonies( and there is no custom so *enera+ 6ut
chance ma' ha%e )roduced an e7ce)tion" It $as an
inci%i+it'( a rudeness( in recei%in* the Jrst %isit of a
no6+eman( if a +ad' did not 5iss his +i)s no matter
a6out his mustaches" #It is an un)+easant custom(#
sa's 0ontai*ne( #and oensi%e to the +adies to ha%e
to oer their +i)s to the three %a+ets in his suite( ho$3
e%er re)u+si%e"# This custom is( ho$e%er( the most
ancient in the $or+d"
If it is disa*reea6+e to a 'oun* and )rett' mouth
to *+ue itse+f to one $hich is o+d and u*+'( there is
a+so *reat dan*er in the 9unction of fresh and %ermi+3
ion +i)s of the a*e of t$ent' to t$ent'3J%e a truth
$hich has Jna++' a6o+ished the ceremon' of 5issin*
in m'steries and +o%e3feasts" &ence a+so the sec+u3
sion of $omen throu*hout the East( $ho 5iss on+'
their fathers and 6rothers a custom +on* a*o intro3
duced into S)ain 6' the Ara6s"
Attend to the dan*er - there is a ner%e $hich runs
from the mouth to the heart( and thence +o$er sti++(
$hich )roduces in the 5iss an e7Huisite+' dan*erous
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 87/453
sensation" Virtue ma' suer from a )ro+on*ed and
ardent 5iss 6et$een t$o 'oun* )ietists of the a*e of
ei*hteen"
Phi+oso)hica+
It is remar5a6+e that man5ind( and turt+es( and
)i*eons a+one )ractise 5issin*4 hence the Latin
$ord #co+um6atim# $hich our +an*ua*e cannot
render"
We cannot decorous+' d$e++ +on*er on this inter3
estin* su69ect( a+thou*h 0ontai*ne sa's( #It shou+d
6e s)o5en of $ithout reser%e4 $e 6o+d+' s)ea5 of
5i++in*( $oundin*( and 6etra'in*( $hi+e on this )oint
$e dare on+' $his)er"#
LA/&TER"
T&AT +au*hter is the si*n of 9o'( as tears are of
*rief( is dou6ted 6' no one that e%er +au*hed" The'
$ho see5 for meta)h'sica+ causes of +au*hter are
not mirthfu+( $hi+e the' $ho are a$are that +au*hter
dra$s the 1'*omatic musc+e 6ac5$ards to$ards the
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 88/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 89/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 90/453
The ma+icious smi+e( the #)erJdum ridens(# is
another thin*4 6ein* the 9o' $hich is e7cited 6'
>= Phi+oso)hica+
the humi+iation of another" The *rin( #cachinnus(#
is 6esto$ed on those $ho )romise $onders and )er3
form a6surdities 4 it is nearer to hootin* than to
+au*hter" Our )ride derides the %anit' $hich $ou+d
im)ose u)on us" The' hoot our friend Freron in
#The Scotch$oman(# rather than +au*h at him" I
+o%e to s)ea5 of friend Freron( as in that case I +au*h
uneHui%oca++'"
LAW NAT/RAL"
!" W&AT is natura+ +a$M
A" The instinct 6' $hich $e fee+ 9ustice"
!" What do 'ou ca++ 9ust and un9ust M
A" That $hich a))ears so to the $ho+e $or+d"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 91/453
!" The $or+d is made u) of a *reat man' heads"
It is said that at Lacedaemon thie%es $ere a))+auded(
$hi+e at Athens the' $ere condemned to the mines"
A" That is a++ a mere a6use of $ords( mere
+o*omach' and am6i*uit'" Theft $as im)ossi6+e at
S)arta( $here a++ )ro)ert' $as common" What 'ou
ca++ theft $as the )unishment of a%arice"
!" It $as for6idden for a man to marr' his sistei
at Rome" Amon* the E*')tians( the Athenians( and
e%en the .e$s( a man $as )ermitted to marr' his
sister 6' the father2s side" It is not $ithout re*ret
that I cite the sma++ and $retched nation of the .e$s(
$ho certain+' ou*ht ne%er to 6e considered as a
ru+e for an' )erson( and $ho settin* aside2re+i*ion
$ere ne%er an'thin* 6etter than an i*norant( fa3
natica+( and )+underin* horde" Accordin* to their
Dictionar'" >;
6oo5s( ho$e%er( the 'oun* Tamar( 6efore she $as
%io+ated 6' her 6rother Ammon( addressed him in
these $ords- #I )ra' thee( m' 6rother( do not so
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 92/453
foo+ish+'( 6ut as5 me in marria*e of m' father - he
$i++ not refuse thee"#
A" A++ these cases amount to mere +a$s of con3
%ention( ar6itrar' usa*es( transient modes" What
is essentia+ remains e%er the same" Point out to me
an' countr' $here it $ou+d 6e deemed res)ecta6+e
or decent to )+under me of the fruits of m' +a6or(
to 6rea5 a so+emn )romise( to te++ an in9urious +ie( to
s+ander( murder( or )oison( to 6e un*ratefu+ to a 6en3
efactor( or to 6eat a father or mother )resentin*
food to 'ou"
!" &a%e 'ou for*otten that .ean .acHues( one
of the fathers of the modern Church( has said that
the Jrst )erson $ho dared to enc+ose and cu+ti%ate a
)iece of *round $as an enem' of the human race 4
that he ou*ht to 6e e7terminated 4 and that the
fruits of the earth 6e+on*ed to a++( and the +and to
none M &a%e $e not a+read' e7amined this )ro)osi3
tion( so 6eautifu+ in itse+f( and so conduci%e to the
ha))iness of societ'M
A" Who is this .ean .acHues M It is certain+' not
.ohn the !a)tist( nor .ohn the E%an*e+ist( nor .ames
the reater( nor .ames the Less 4 he must ine%ita6+'
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 93/453
6e some $it+in* of a &un( to $rite such a6omina6+e
im)ertinence( or some i++3conditioned( ma+icious #6u3
fo ma*ro(# $ho is ne%er more ha))' than $hen
sneerin* at $hat a++ the rest of the $or+d deem most
>; Phi+oso)hica+
%a+ua6+e and sacred" For( instead of dama*in* and
s)oi+in* the estate of a $ise and industrious nei*h3
6or( he had on+' to imitate him( and induce e%er'
head of a fami+' to fo++o$ his e7am)+e( in order to
form in a short time a most ourishin* and ha))'
%i++a*e" The author of the )assa*e Huoted seems
to me a thorou*h+' unsocia+ anima+"
!" ?ou are of o)inion( then( that 6' insu+tin*
and )+underin* the *ood man( for surroundin* his
*arden and farm'ard $ith a Huic53set hed*e( he has
oended a*ainst natura+ +a$"
A" ?es( most certain+' 4 there is( I must re)eat(
a natura+ +a$ 4 and it consists in neither doin* i++
to another( nor re9oicin* at it( $hen from an' cause
$hatsoe%er it 6efa++s him"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 94/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 95/453
man of Louis BIV" these( and a thousand simi+ar
e7am)+es( easi+' to 6e found in the records of his3
tor'( tota++' distur6 and deran*e m' ideas( and I no
+on*er 5no$ $hat I am doin* or $here I am"
A" We++ 4 6ut shou+d the 5no$+ed*e that storms
are comin* )re%ent our en9o'in* the 6eautifu+ sun3
shine and *ent+e and fra*rant *a+es of the )resent
da' M Did the earthHua5e that destro'ed ha+f the cit'
of Lis6on )re%ent 'our ma5in* a %er' )+easant 9our3
ne' from 0adridM If Atti+a $as a 6andit( and Car3
dina+ 0a1arin a 5na%e( are there not some )rinces
and ministers res)ecta6+e and amia6+e menM &as
it not 6een remar5ed( that in the $ar of ;=;( the
Counci+ of Louis BIV" consisted of some of the
most %irtuous of man5ind the du5e of !eau%i+3
+iers( the 0arHuis de Torc'( 0arsha+ Vi++ars( and
Jna++' Chami++ard( $ho $as not indeed considered a
%er' a6+e 6ut sti++ an honora6+e man M Does not the
idea of 9ust and un9ust sti++ e7istM It is in fact
on this that a++ +a$s are founded" The ree5s ca++
+a$s #the dau*hters of hea%en(# $hich means sim)+'(
the dau*hters of nature" &a%e 'ou no +a$s in 'our
countr' M
!" ?es 4 some *ood( and others 6ad"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 96/453
A" Where cou+d 'ou ha%e ta5en the idea of
>Q Phi+oso)hica+
them( 6ut from the notions of natura+ +a$ $hich
e%er' $e++3constructed mind has $ithin itse+f M The'
must ha%e 6een deri%ed from these or nothin*"
!" ?ou are ri*ht 4 there is a natura+ +a$( 6ut it
is sti++ more natura+ to man' )eo)+e to for*et or
ne*+ect it"
A" It is natura+ a+so to 6e one3e'ed( hum)3
6ac5ed( +ame( deformed( and sic5+' 4 6ut $e )refer
)ersons $e++ made and hea+th'"
!" Wh' are there so man' one3e'ed and de33
formed minds M
A" &ush : Consu+t( ho$e%er( the artic+e on
#Omni)otence"#
LAW SALIC"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 97/453
&E W&O sa's that the Sa+ic +a$ $as $ritten $ith
a )en from the $in* of a t$o3headed ea*+e( 6'
Pharamond2s a+moner( on the 6ac5 of the )atent con3
tainin* Constantine2s donation( $as not( )erha)s(
%er' much mista5en"
It is( sa' the dou*ht' +a$'ers( the fundamenta+
+a$ of the French Em)ire" The *reat .erome
!i*non( in his 6oo5 on #The E7ce++ence of
France(# sa's that this +a$ is deri%ed from natura+
+a$( accordin* to the *reat Aristot+e( 6ecause #in
fami+ies it $as the father $ho *o%erned( and no
do$er $as *i%en to dau*hters( as $e read iti re+ation
to the father( mother( and 6rothers of Re6ecca"#
&e asserts that the 5in*dom of France is so e73
ce++ent that it has re+i*ious+' )reser%ed this +a$(
Dictionar'" >
recommended 6oth 6' Aristot+e and the O+d Testa3
ment" And to )ro%e this e7ce++ence of France( he
o6ser%es a+so( that the em)eror .u+ian thou*ht the
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 98/453
$ine of Surene admira6+e"
!ut in order to demonstrate the e7ce++ence of the
Sa+ic +a$( he refers to Froissart( accordin* to $hom
the t$e+%e )eers of France said that #the 5in*dom
of France is of such hi*h no6i+it' that it ne%er ou*ht
to )ass in succession to a fema+e"#
It must 6e ac5no$+ed*ed that this decision is not
a +itt+e unci%i+ to S)ain( En*+and( Na)+es( and &un3
*ar'( and more than a++ the rest to Russia( $hich has
seen on its throne four em)resses in succession"
The 5in*dom of France is of *reat no6i+it' 4 no
dou6t it is 4 6ut those of S)ain( of 0e7ico( and Peru
are a+so of *reat no6i+it'( and there is *reat no6i+it'
a+so in Russia"
It has 6een a++e*ed that Sacred Scri)ture sa's
the +i+ies neither toi+ nor s)in 4 and thence it has
6een inferred that $omen ou*ht not to rei*n in
France" This certain+' is another instance of )o$er3
fu+ reasonin*4 6ut it has 6een for*otten that the
+eo)ards( $hich are it is hard to sa' $h' the arms
of En*+and( s)in no more than the +i+ies $hich are
it is eHua++' hard to sa' $h' the arms of France"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 99/453
In a $ord( the circumstance that +i+ies ha%e ne%er
6een seen to s)in does not a6so+ute+' demonstrate
the e7c+usion of fema+es from the throne to ha%e
6een a fundamenta+ +a$ of the au+s"
Vo+" ri
>> Phi+oso)hica+
Of Fundamenta+ La$s"
The fundamenta+ +a$ of e%er' countr' is( that
if )eo)+e are desirous of ha%in* 6read( the' must
so$ corn 4 that if the' $ish for c+othin*( the' must
cu+ti%ate a7 and hem) 4 that e%er' o$ner of a Je+d
shou+d ha%e the uncontro++ed mana*ement and
dominion o%er it( $hether that o$ner 6e ma+e or
fema+e4 that the ha+f36ar6arous au+ shou+d 5i++
as man' as e%er he can of the $ho++' 6ar6arous
Fran5s( $hen the' come from the 6an5s of the
0ain( $hich the' ha%e not the s5i++ and industr'
to cu+ti%ate( to carr' o his har%ests and oc5s4
$ithout doin* $hich the au+ $ou+d either 6ecome
a serf of the Fran5( or 6e assassinated 6' him"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 100/453
It is u)on this foundation that an ediJce is $e++
su))orted" One man 6ui+ds u)on a roc5( and his
house stands Jrm 4 another on the sands( and it fa++s
to the *round" !ut a fundamenta+ +a$( arisin* from
the uctuatin* inc+inations of men( and 'et at the
same time irre%oca6+e( is a contradiction in terms( a
mere creature of ima*ination( a chimera( an a63
surdit' 4 the )o$er that ma5es the +a$s can chan*e
them" The o+den !u++ $as ca++ed #the fundamenta+
+a$ of the em)ire"# It $as ordained that there
shou+d ne%er 6e more than se%en Teutonic e+ectors(
for the %er' satisfactor' and decisi%e reason that
a certain .e$ish chande+ier had had no more than
se%en 6ranches( and that there are no more than
se%en *ifts of the &o+' S)irit" This fundamenta+
+a$ had the e)ithet #eterna+# a))+ied to it 6' the
Dictionar'" >
a++3)o$erfu+ authorit' and infa++i6+e 5no$+ed*e of
Char+es IV" od( ho$e%er( did not thin5 Jt to a++o$
of this assum)tion of #eterna+# in Char+es2s )arch3
ments" &e )ermitted other erman em)erors( out
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 101/453
of their a++3)o$erfu+ authorit' and infa++i6+e 5no$+3
ed*e( to add t$o 6ranches to the chande+ier( and
t$o )resents to the se%en *ifts of the &o+' S)irit"
Accordin*+' the e+ectors are no$ nine in num6er"
It $as a %er' fundamenta+ +a$ that the disci)+es
of the Lord .esus shou+d )ossess no )ri%ate )ro)3
ert'( 6ut ha%e a++ thin*s in common" There $as
after$ards a +a$ that the 6isho)s of Rome shou+d
6e rich( and that the )eo)+e shou+d choose them"
The +ast fundamenta+ +a$ is( that the' are so%3
erei*ns( and e+ected 6' a sma++ num6er of men
c+othed in scar+et( and constitutin* a societ' a6so3
+ute+' un5no$n in the time of .esus" If the 2em3
)eror( 5in* of the Romans( a+$a's au*ust( $as so%3
erei*n master of Rome in fact( as he is accordin*
to the st'+e of his )atents and hera+dr'( the )o)e
$ou+d 6e his *rand a+moner( unti+ some other +a$(
fore%er irre%oca6+e( $as announced( to 6e destro'ed
in its turn 6' some succeedin* one"
I $i++ su))ose $hat ma' %er' )ossi6+' and
natura++' ha))en that an em)eror of erman' ma'
ha%e no issue 6ut an on+' dau*hter( and that he ma'
6e a uiet( $orth' man( understandin* nothin*
a6out $ar" I $i++ su))ose that if Catherine II" does
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 102/453
not destro' the Tur5ish Em)ire( $hichM she has
se%ere+' sha5en in the %er' 'ear in $hich I am no$
> Phi+oso)hica+
$ritin* m' re%erie the 'ear ;;( the Tur5 $i++
come and in%ade this *ood )rince( not$ithstandin*
his 6ein* cherished and 6e+o%ed 6' a++ his nine
e+ectors 4 that his dau*hter )uts herse+f at the head
of the troo)s $ith t$o 'oun* e+ectors dee)+'
enamored of her4 that she 6eats the Ottomans( as
De6orah 6eat enera+ Sisera( and his three hundred
thousand so+diers( and his three thousand chariots
of $ar( in a +itt+e roc5' )+ain at the foot of 0ount
Ta6or 4 that this $ar+i5e )rincess dri%es the 0ussu+3
man e%en 6e'ond Adriano)+e 4 that her father dies
throu*h 9o' at her success( or from an' other cause 4
that the t$o +o%ers of the )rincess induce their se%en
co++ea*ues to cro$n her em)ress( and that a++ the
)rinces of the em)ire( and a++ the cities *i%e their
consent to it 4 $hat( in this case( 6ecomes of the
fundamenta+ and eterna+ +a$ $hich enacts that the
ho+' Roman Em)ire cannot )ossi6+' )ass from the
+ance to the dista( that the t$o3headed ea*+e can3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 103/453
not s)in( and that it is im)ossi6+e to sit on the im3
)eria+ throne $ithout 6reeches M The o+d and a6surd
+a$ $ou+d 6e derided( and the heroic em)ress rei*n
at once in safet' and in *+or'"
&o$ the Sa+ic La$ Came to 6e Esta6+ished"
We cannot contest the custom $hich has indeed
)assed into +a$( that decides a*ainst dau*hters in3
heritin* the cro$n in France $hi+e there remains an'
ma+e of the ro'a+ 6+ood" This Huestion has 6een
+on* determined( and the sea+ of antiHuit' has 6een
Dictionar'" ><
)ut to the decision" &ad it 6een e7)ress+' 6rou*ht
from hea%en( it cou+d not 6e more re%ered 6' the
French nation than it is" It certain+' does not e73
act+' corres)ond $ith the *a++ant courtes' of the
nation4 6ut the fact is( that it $as in strict and
ri*orous o6ser%ance 6efore the nation $as e%er dis3
tin*uished for its *a++ant courtes'"
The )resident Renau+t re)eats( in his #Chronic+e(#
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 104/453
$hat had 6een stated at random 6efore him( that
C+o%is di*ested the Sa+ic +a$ in ;;( the %er' 'ear
in $hich he died" I am %er' $e++ dis)osed to 6e3
+ie%e that he actua++' did di*est this +a$( and that
he 5ne$ ho$ to read and $rite( 9ust as I am to 6e3
+ie%e that he $as on+' Jfteen 'ears o+d $hen he
undertoo5 the conHuest of the au+s 4 6ut I do
sincere+' $ish that an' one $ou+d sho$ me in the
+i6rar' of St"3ermain3des3Pres( or of St" 0artin(
the ori*ina+ document of the Sa+ic +a$ actua++'
si*ned C+o%is( or C+odo%ic( or &i+do%ic 4 from that
$e shou+d at +east +earn his rea+ name( $hich no6od'
at )resent 5no$s"
We ha%e t$o editions of this Sa+ic +a$ 4 one 6'
a )erson 6' the name of &ero+d( the other 6' Francis
Pithou4 and these are dierent( $hich is 6' no
means a fa%ora6+e )resum)tion" When the te7t of
a +a$ is *i%en dierent+' in t$o documents( it is
not on+' e%ident that one of the t$o is fa+se( 6ut it
is hi*h+' )ro6a6+e that the' are 6oth so" No custom
or usa*e of the Fran5s $as $ritten in our ear+'
times( and it $ou+d 6e e7cessi%e+' stran*e that the
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 105/453
= Phi+oso)hica+
+a$ of the Sa+ii shou+d ha%e 6een so" This +a$(
moreo%er( is in Latin( and it does not seem at a++
)ro6a6+e that( in the s$am)s 6et$een Sua6ia and
!ata%ia( C+o%is( or his )redecessors( shou+d s)ea5
Latin"
It is su))osed that this +a$ has reference to the
5in*s of France 4 and 'et a++ the +earned are a*reed
that the Sicam6ri( the Fran5s( and the Sa+ii( had
no 5in*s( nor indeed an' hereditar' chiefs"
The tit+e of the Sa+ic +a$ 6e*ins $ith these $ords -
#In Christi nomine# #In the name of Christ"# It
$as therefore made out of the Sa+ic territor'( as
Christ $as no more 5no$n 6' these 6ar6arians than
6' the rest of erman' and a++ the countries of the
North"
This +a$ is stated to ha%e 6een dra$n u) 6' four
distin*uished +a$'ers of the Fran5 nation 4 these(
in &ero+d2s edition( are ca++ed Vuiso*ast( Aro*ast(
Sa+e*ast( and Vuindo*ast" In Pithou2s edition( the
names are some$hat dierent" It has 6een un3
+uc5i+' disco%ered that these names are the o+d
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 106/453
names( some$hat dis*uised( of certain cantons of
erman'"
In $hate%er )eriod this +a$ $as framed in 6ad
Latin( $e Jnd( in the artic+e re+atin* to a++odia+ or
freeho+d +ands( #that no )art of Sa+ic +and can 6e
inherited 6' $omen"# It is c+ear that this )retended
+a$ $as 6' no means fo++o$ed" In the Jrst )+ace(
it a))ears from the formu+ae of 0arcu+)hus that a
father mi*ht +ea%e his a++odia+ +and to his dau*hter(
Dictionar'" ;
renouncin* #a certain Sa+ic +a$ $hich is im)ious
and a6omina6+e"#
Second+'( if this +a$ 6e a))+ied to Jefs( it is e%i3
dent that the En*+ish 5in*s( $ho $ere not of the
Norman race( o6tained a++ their *reat Jefs in France
on+' throu*h dau*hters"
Third+'( it is a++e*ed to 6e necessar' that a Jef
shou+d 6e )ossessed 6' a man( 6ecause he $as a6+e
as $e++ as 6ound to J*ht for his +ord4 this itse+f
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 107/453
sho$s that the +a$ cou+d not 6e understood to aect
the ri*hts to the throne" A++ feuda+ +ords mi*ht J*ht
9ust as $e++ for a Hueen as for a 5in*" A Hueen $as
not o6+i*ed to fo++o$ the )ractice so +on* in use( to
)ut on a cuirass( and co%er her +im6s $ith armor(
and set o trottin* a*ainst the enem' u)on a cart3
horse"
It is certain( therefore( that the Sa+ic +a$ cou+d
ha%e no reference to the cro$n( neither in con3
nection $ith a++odia+ +ands( nor feuda+ ho+din* and
ser%ice"
0e1era' sa's( #The im6eci+it' of the se7 )re3
c+udes their rei*nin*"# 0e1era' s)ea5s here +i5e a
man neither of sense nor )o+iteness" &istor' )osi3
ti%e+' and re)eated+' fa+siJes his assertion" ueen
Anne of En*+and( $ho hum6+ed Louis BIV" 4 the
em)ress3Hueen of &un*ar'( $ho resisted Kin* Louis
BV"( Frederic5 the reat( the e+ector of !a%aria(
and %arious other )rinces 4 E+i1a6eth of En*+and(
$ho $as the stren*th and su))ort of our *reat
&enr'4 the em)ress of Russia( of $hom $e ha%e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 108/453
Phi+oso)hica+
s)o5en a+read'4 a++ these decided+' sho$ that
0e1era' is not more correct than he is courteous in
his o6ser%ation" &e cou+d scarce+' he+) 5no$in*
that ueen !+anche $as in fact the rei*nin* monarch
under the name of her son4 as Anne of !rittan'
$as under that of Louis BII"
Ve++'( the +ast $riter of the histor' of France( and
$ho on that %er' account ou*ht to 6e the 6est( as he
)ossessed a++ the accumu+ated materia+s of his )red3
ecessors( did not( ho$e%er( a+$a's 5no$ ho$ to
turn his ad%anta*es to the 6est account" &e in%ei*hs
$ith 6itterness a*ainst the 9udicious and )rofound
Ra)in de Tho'ras( and attem)ts to )ro%e to him
that no )rincess e%er succeeded to the cro$n $hi+e
an' ma+es remained $ho $ere ca)a6+e of succeedin*"
That $e a++ 5no$ )erfect+' $e++( and Tho'ras ne%er
said the contrar'"
In that +on* a*e of 6ar6arism( $hen the on+'
concern of Euro)e $as to commit usur)ations and
to sustain them( it must 6e ac5no$+ed*ed that
5in*s( 6ein* often chiefs of 6anditti or $arriors
armed a*ainst those 6anditti( it $as not )ossi6+e to
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 109/453
6e su69ect to the *o%ernment of a $oman" Who3
e%er $as in )ossession of a *reat $arhorse $ou+d
en*a*e in the $or5 of ra)ine and murder on+' under
the standard of a man mounted u)on a *reat horse
+i5e himse+f" A 6uc5+er of o7hide ser%ed for a
,
throne" The ca+i)hs *o%erned 6' the Koran( the
)o)es $ere deemed to *o%ern 6' the os)e+" The
South sa$ no $oman rei*n 6efore .oan of Na)+es(
Dictionar'" G
$ho $as inde6ted for her cro$n entire+' to the
aection of the )eo)+e for Kin* Ro6ert( her *rand3
father( and to their hatred of Andre$( her hus6and"
This Andre$ $as in rea+it' of ro'a+ 6+ood( 6ut had
6een 6orn in &un*ar'( at that time in a state of
6ar6arism" &e dis*usted the Nea)o+itans 6' his
*ross manners( intem)erance( and drun5enness" The
amia6+e 5in* Ro6ert $as o6+i*ed to de)art from
immemoria+ usa*e( and dec+are .oan a+one so%3
erei*n 6' his $i++( $hich $as a))ro%ed 6' the na3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 110/453
tion"
In the North $e see no Hueen rei*nin* in her
o$n ri*ht 6efore 0ar*aret of Wa+demar( $ho *o%3
erned for some months in her o$n name a6out the
'ear ;G"
S)ain had no Hueen in her o$n ri*ht 6efore the
a6+e Isa6e++a in ;Q>;" In En*+and the crue+ and
6i*oted 0ar'( dau*hter of &enr' VIII"( $as the
Jrst $oman $ho inherited the throne( as the %ea5
and crimina+ 0ar' Stuart $as in Scot+and in the
si7teenth centur'" The immense territor' of Rus3
sia had no fema+e so%erei*n 6efore the $ido$ of
Peter the reat"
The $ho+e of Euro)e( and indeed I mi*ht sa'
the $ho+e $or+d( $as *o%erned 6' $arriors in the
time $hen Phi+i) de Va+ois su))orted his ri*ht
a*ainst Ed$ard III" This ri*ht of a ma+e $ho suc3
ceeded to a ma+e( seemed the +a$ of a++ nations"
#?ou are *randson of Phi+i) the Fair(# said Va+ois
to his com)etitor( #6ut as m' ri*ht $ou+d 6e su3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 111/453
Q Phi+oso)hica+
)erior to that of the mother( it must 6e sti++ more
decided+' su)erior to that of the son" ?our mother(
in fact( cou+d not communicate a ri*ht $hich she
did not )ossess"#
It $as therefore )erfect+' reco*ni1ed in France
that a )rince of the 6+ood ro'a+( a+thou*h in the re3
motest )ossi6+e de*ree( shou+d 6e heir to the cro$n
in e7c+usion e%en of the dau*hter of the 5in*" It
is a +a$ on $hich there is no$ not the s+i*htest dis3
)ute $hate%er" Other nations ha%e( since the fu++
and uni%ersa+ reco*nition of this )rinci)+e amon*
ourse+%es( ad9ud*ed the throne to )rincesses" !ut
France has sti++ o6ser%ed its ancient usa*e" Time
has conferred on this usa*e the force of the most
sacred of +a$s" At $hat time the Sa+ic +a$ $as
framed or inter)reted is not of the s+i*htest con3
seHuence 4 it does e7ist( it is res)ecta6+e( it is usefu+ 4
and its uti+it' has rendered it sacred"
E7amination Whether Dau*hters Are in a++ Cases
De)ri%ed of E%er' S)ecies of Inheritance 6'
This Sa+ic La$"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 112/453
I ha%e a+read' 6esto$ed the em)ire on a dau*hter
in deJance of the o+den !u++" I sha++ ha%e no dif3
Jcu+t' in conferrin* on a dau*hter the 5in*dom of
France" I ha%e a 6etter ri*ht to dis)ose of this
rea+m than Po)e .u+ian II"( $ho de)ri%ed Louis
BII" of it( and transferred it 6' his o$n sin*+e au3
thorit' to the em)eror 0a7imi+ian" I am 6etter
authori1ed to )+ead in 6eha+f of the dau*hters of
Dictionar'"
the house of France( than Po)e re*or' BIII" and
Corde+ier Se7tus3uintus $ere to e7c+ude from the
throne our )rinces of the 6+ood( under the )retence
actua++' ur*ed 6' these e7ce++ent )riests( that &enr'
IV" and the )rinces of Conde $ere a #6astard and
detesta6+e race# of !our6on reJned and ho+'
$ords( $hich deser%e e%er to 6e remem6ered in
order to 5ee) a+i%e the con%iction of a++ $e o$e to
the 6isho)s of Rome" I ma' *i%e m' %ote in the
states3*enera+( and no )o)e certain+' can ha%e an'
sura*e on it" I therefore *i%e m' %ote $ithout
hesitation( some three or four hundred 'ears
from the )resent time( to a dau*hter of France( then
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 113/453
the on+' descendant remainin* in a direct +ine
from &u*h Ca)et" I constitute her Hueen( )ro%ided
she sha++ ha%e 6een $e++ educated( ha%e a sound un3
derstandin*( and 6e no 6i*ot" I inter)ret in her
fa%or that +a$ $hich dec+ares #Hue J++e ne doit 3(nie
succedcr# that a dau*hter must in no case come to
her succession" I understand 6' the $ords( that she
must in no case succeed as +on* as there sha++ 6e an'
ma+e" !ut on fai+ure of ma+es( I )ro%e that the
5in*dom 6e+on*s to her 6' nature( $hich ordains it(
and for the 6eneJt of the nation"
I in%ite a++ *ood Frenchmen to sho$ the same
res)ect as m'se+f for the 6+ood of so man' 5in*s"
I consider this as the on+' method of )re%entin*
factions $hich $ou+d dismem6er the state" I )ro3
)ose that she sha++ rei*n in her o$n ri*ht( and that
she sha++ 6e married to some amia6+e and res)ecta6+e
9> Phi+oso)hica+
)rince( $ho sha++ assume her name and arms( and
$ho( in his o$n ri*ht( sha++ )ossess some territor'
$hich sha++ 6e anne7ed to France 4 as $e ha%e seen
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 114/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 115/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 116/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 117/453
+ous as to )a' to a forei*n )riest the Jrst 'ear2s
re%enue of an estate( conferred 6' citi1ens u)on a
)riest $ho is their fe++o$3citi1en"
That no )riest shou+d )ossess authorit' to de3
)ri%e a citi1en e%en of the sma++est of his )ri%i+e*es(
under the )retence that that citi1en is a sinner 4 6e3
cause the )riest( himse+f a sinner( ou*ht to )ra' for
sinners( and not to 9ud*e them"
That ma*istrates( cu+ti%ators( and )riests( shou+d
a+i5e contri6ute to the e7)enses of the state( 6ecause
a++ a+i5e 6e+on* to the state"
That there shou+d 6e on+' one s'stem of $ei*hts
and measures( and usa*es"
That the )unishment of crimina+s shou+d 6e
rendered usefu+" A man that is han*ed is no +on*er
usefu+4 6ut a man condemned to the )u6+ic $or5s
is sti++ ser%icea6+e to his countr'( and a +i%in* +ecture
a*ainst crime"
That the $ho+e +a$ shou+d 6e c+ear( uniform( and
)recise 4 to inter)ret it is a+most a+$a's to corru)t it"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 118/453
That nothin* shou+d 6e he+d infamous 6ut %ice"
That ta7es shou+d 6e im)osed a+$a's in 9ust )ro3
)ortion"
That +a$ shou+d ne%er 6e in contradiction to
usa*e 4 for( if the usa*e is *ood( the +a$ is $orth
nothin*"
Dictionar'" <
LAWS"
SECTION I"
IT is di8cu+t to )oint out a sin*+e nation +i%in*
under a s'stem of *ood +a$s" This is not attri6u3
ta6+e mere+' to the circumstance that +a$s are the
)roductions of men( for men ha%e )roduced $or5s
of *reat uti+it' and e7ce++ence 4 and those $ho in3
%ented and 6rou*ht to )erfection the %arious arts
of +ife $ere ca)a6+e of de%isin* a res)ecta6+e code
of 9uris)rudence" !ut +a$s ha%e )roceeded( in
a+most e%er' state( from the interest of the +e*is+ator(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 119/453
from the ur*enc' of the moment( from i*norance(
and from su)erstition( and ha%e accordin*+' 6een
made at random( and irre*u+ar+'( 9ust in the same
manner in $hich cities ha%e 6een 6ui+t" Ta5e a
%ie$ of Paris( and o6ser%e the contrast 6et$een that
Huarter of it $here the Jsh3mar5et &a++es is situ3
ated( the St" Pierre3au736ceufs( the streets !rise3
miche and Pet3au3dia6+e and the 6eaut' and s)+endor
of the Lou%re and the Tui+eries" This is a correct
ima*e of our +a$s"
It $as on+' after London had 6een reduced to
ashes that it 6ecame at a++ Jt to 6e inha6ited" The
streets( after that catastro)he( $ere $idened and
strai*htened" If 'ou are desirous of ha%in* *ood
+a$s( 6urn those $hich 'ou ha%e at )resent( and
ma5e fresh ones"
The Romans $ere $ithout J7ed +a$s for the
s)ace of three hundred 'ears 4 the' $ere o6+i*ed to
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 120/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 121/453
$ith the cu+ti%ator of Sua6ia on+' in s)ea5in* near+'
the same +an*ua*e( $hich( it must 6e admitted( is
rather an un)o+ished and coarse one"
The En*+ish nation has more uniformit'4 6ut
ha%in* e7tricated itse+f from ser%itude and 6ar6arism
on+' 6' occasiona+ eorts( 6' Jts and con%u+si%e
starts( and ha%in* e%en in its state of freedom re3
tained man' +a$s former+' )romu+*ated( either 6'
Dictionar'" ;
the *reat t'rants $ho contended in ri%a+shi) for the
throne( or the )ett' t'rants $ho sei1ed u)on the
)o$er and honors of the )re+ac'( it has formed a+to3
*ether a 6od' of +a$s of *reat %i*or and e8cac'(
6ut $hich sti++ e7hi6it man' 6ruises and $ounds(
%er' c+umsi+' )atched and )+astered"
The inte++ect of Euro)e has made *reater )ro*ress
$ithin the +ast hundred 'ears than the $ho+e $or+d
had done 6efore since the da's of !rahma( Fohi(
@oroaster( and the Thaut of E*')t" What then is
the cause that +e*is+ation has made so +itt+eM
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 122/453
After the Jfth centur'( $e $ere a++ sa%a*es" Such
are the re%o+utions $hich ta5e )+ace on the *+o6e 4
6ri*ands )i++a*in* and cu+ti%ators )i++a*ed made u)
the masses of man5ind from the recesses of the
!a+tic Sea to the Strait of i6ra+tar 4 and $hen the
Ara6s made their a))earance in the South( the deso3
+ation of ra%a*e and confusion $as uni%ersa+"
In our de)artment of Euro)e( the sma++ num6er(
6ein* com)osed of darin* and i*norant men( used
to conHuest and com)+ete+' armed for 6att+e( and
the *reater num6er( com)osed of i*norant( unarmed
s+a%es( scarce+' an' one of either c+ass 5no$in* ho$
to read or $rite not e%en Char+ema*ne himse+f
it ha))ened %er' natura++' that the Roman Church(
$ith its )en and ceremonies( o6tained the *uidance
and *o%ernment of those $ho )assed their +ife on
horse6ac5 $ith their +ances couched and the morion
on their heads"
The descendants of the Sicam6ri( the !ur*un3
Vo+" ii >
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 123/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 124/453
DR?DEN"
A+most a++ treaties 6ein* accom)anied 6' the si*n
of the cross( and 6' an oath $hich $as freHuent+'
administered o%er some re+ics( e%er'thin* $as thus
6rou*ht $ithin the 9urisdiction of the Church"
Rome( as metro)o+itan( $as su)reme 9ud*e2in causes(
from the Cim6rian Chersonesus to ascon' 4 and
a thousand feuda+ +ords( unitin* their o$n )ecu+iar
usa*es $ith the canon +a$( )roduced in the resu+t
Dictionar'" G
that monstrous 9uris)rudence of $hich there at
)resent e7ist so man' remains" Which $ou+d ha%e
6een 6etter no +a$s at a++( or such as these M
It $as 6eneJcia+ to an em)ire of more %ast e7tent
than that of Rome to remain for a +on* time in a state
of chaos 4 for( as e%er' %a+ua6+e institution $as sti++
to 6e formed( it $as easier to 6ui+d a ne$ ediJce
than to re)air one $hose ruins $ere +oo5ed u)on as
sacred"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 125/453
The +e*is+atri7 of the North( in ;>( co++ected
de)uties from a++ the )ro%inces $hich contained
a6out t$e+%e hundred thousand sHuare +ea*ues"
There $ere Pa*ans( 0ahometans of the sect of A&(
and others of the sect of Omar( and a6out t$e+%e dif3
ferent sects of Christians" E%er' +a$ $as dis3
tinct+' )ro)osed to this ne$ s'nod4 and if it a)3
)eared conforma6+e to the interest of a++ the )ro%3
inces( it then recei%ed the sanction of the em)ress
and the nation"
The Jrst +a$ that $as 6rou*ht for$ard and car3
ried( $as a +a$ of to+eration( that the ree5 )riest
mi*ht ne%er for*et that the Latin )riest $as his
fe++o$3man 4 that the 0ussu+man mi*ht 6ear $ith
his Pa*an 6rother 4 and that the Roman Catho+ic
mi*ht not 6e tem)ted to sacriJce his 6rother Pres6'3
terian"
The em)ress $rote $ith her o$n hand( in this
*rand counci+ of +e*is+ation( #Amon* so man' dif3
ferent creeds( the most in9urious error $ou+d 6e
into+erance"#
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 126/453
Q Phi+oso)hica+
It is no$ unanimous+' a*reed that there is in a
state on+' one authorit' 4 that the )ro)er e7)ressions
to 6e used are( #ci%i+ )o$er(# and #ecc+esiastica+
disci)+ine# 4 and that the a++e*or' of the t$o s$ords
is a do*ma of discord"
She 6e*an $ith emanci)atin* the serfs of her
o$n )articu+ar domain" She emanci)ated a++ those
of the ecc+esiastica+ domains" She mi*ht thus 6e
said to ha%e created men out of s+a%es"
The )re+ates and mon5s $ere )aid out of the
)u6+ic treasur'" Punishments $ere )ro)ortioned
to crimes( and the )unishments $ere of a usefu+
character4 oenders $ere for the *reater )art con3
demned to +a6or on )u6+ic $or5s( as the dead man
can 6e of no ser%ice to the +i%in*"
The torture $as a6o+ished( 6ecause it )unishes
a man 6efore he is 5no$n to 6e *ui+t'4 6ecause
the Romans ne%er )ut an' to the torture 6ut their
s+a%es 4 and 6ecause torture tends to sa%in* the
*ui+t' and destro'in* the innocent"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 127/453
This im)ortant 6usiness had )roceeded thus far(
$hen 0usta)ha III"( the son of 0ahmoud( o6+i*ed
the em)ress to sus)end her code and )roceed to
J*htin*"
SECTION II"
I ha%e attem)ted to disco%er some ra' of +i*ht
in the m'tho+o*ica+ times of China $hich #)recede
Fohi( 6ut I ha%e attem)ted in %ain"
At the )eriod( ho$e%er( in $hich Fohi ourished(
$hich $as a6out three thousand 'ears 6efore the
Dictionar'"
ne$ and common era of our north$estern )art of
the $or+d( I )ercei%e $ise and mi+d +a$s a+read'
esta6+ished 6' a 6eneJcent so%erei*n" The ancient
6oo5s of the Fi%e Kin*s( consecrated 6' the res)ect
of so man' a*es( treat of the institution of a*ri3
cu+ture( of )astora+ econom'( of domestic econom'(
of that sim)+e astronom' $hich re*u+ates the dif3
ferent seasons( and of the music $hich( 6' dierent
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 128/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 129/453
> Phi+oso)hica+
certain )eriodica+ aections( under )ain of death
to 6oth of the oendin* )arties"#
#To e7terminate $ithout )it' a++ the unfortunate
inha6itants of the +and of Canaan( $ho $ere not e%en
acHuainted $ith them 4 to s+au*hter the $ho+e 4 to
massacre a++( men and $omen( o+d men( chi+dren( and
anima+s( for the *reater *+or' of od"#
#To sacriJce to the Lord $hate%er an' man sha++
ha%e de%oted as an anathema to the Lord( and to
s+a' it $ithout )o$er of ransom"#
#To 6urn $ido$s $ho( not 6ein* a6+e to 6e mar3
ried a*ain to their 6rothers3in3+a$( had other$ise
conso+ed themse+%es on the hi*h$a' or e+se$here(#
etc"
A .esuit( $ho $as former+' a missionar' amon*
the canni6a+s( at the time $hen Canada sti++ 6e+on*ed
to the 5in* of France( re+ated to me that once( as
he $as e7)+ainin* these .e$ish +a$s to his neo3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 130/453
)h'tes( a +itt+e im)udent Frenchman( $ho $as )res3
ent at the catechisin*( cried out( #The' are the +a$s
of canni6a+s"# One of the Indians re)+ied to him(
#?ou are to 5no$( 0r" F+i))ant( that $e are )eo)+e
of some decenc' and 5indness" We ne%er had
amon* us an' such +a$s 4 and if $e had not some
5indness and decenc'( $e shou+d treat 'ou as an
inha6itant of Canaan( in order to teach 'ou ci%i+
+an*ua*e"#
It a))ears u)on a com)arison of the code of the
Chinese $ith that of the &e6re$s( that +a$s natu3
ra++' fo++o$ the manners of the )eo)+e $ho ma5e
Dictionar'"
them" If %u+tures and do%es had +a$s( the' $ou+d
undou6ted+' 6e of a %er' dierent character"
SECTION III"
Shee) +i%e in societ' %er' mi+d+' and a*reea6+' 4
their character )asses for 6ein* a %er' *ent+e one(
6ecause $e do not see the )rodi*ious Huantit' of
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 131/453
anima+s de%oured 6' them" We ma'( ho$e%er( con3
cei%e that the' eat them %er' innocent+' and $ith3
out 5no$in* it( 9ust as $e do $hen $e eat Sassena*e
cheese" The re)u6+ic of shee) is a faithfu+ ima*e
of the a*e of *o+d"
A hen3roost e7hi6its the most )erfect re)resen3
tation of monarch'" There is no 5in* com)ara6+e
to a coc5" If he marches hau*hti+' and Jerce+' in
the midst of his )eo)+e( it is not out of %anit'" If
the enem' is ad%ancin*( he does not content himse+f
$ith issuin* an order to his su69ects to *o and 6e
5i++ed for him( in %irtue of his unfai+in* 5no$+ed*e
and resist+ess )o$er 4 he *oes in )erson himse+f(
ran*es his 'oun* troo)s 6ehind him( and J*hts to
the +ast *as)" If he conHuers( it is himse+f $ho sin*s
the #Te Deum"# In his ci%i+ or domestic +ife( there
is nothin* so *a++ant( so res)ecta6+e( and so disin3
terested" Whether he has in his ro'a+ 6ea5 a *rain
of corn or a *ru63$orm( he 6esto$s it on the Jrst
of his fema+e su69ects that comes $ithin his )res3
ence" In short( So+omon in his harem $as not to 6e
com)ared to a coc5 in a farm3'ard"
If it 6e true that 6ees are *o%erned 6' a Hueen to
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 132/453
Phi+oso)hica+
$hom a++ her su69ects ma5e +o%e( that is a more )er3
fect *o%ernment sti++"
Ants are considered as constitutin* an e7ce++ent
democrac'" This is su)erior to e%er' other state(
as a++ are( in conseHuence of such a constitution( on
terms of eHua+it'( and e%er' indi%idua+ is em)+o'ed
for the ha))iness of a++" The re)u6+ic of 6ea%ers
is su)erior e%en to that of ants 4 at +east( if $e ma'
9ud*e 6' their )erformances in masonr'"
0on5e's are more +i5e merr'3andre$s than a
re*u+ar+' *o%erned )eo)+e 4 the' do not a))ear as3
sociated under J7ed and fundamenta+ +a$s( +i5e the
s)ecies )re%ious+' noticed"
We resem6+e mon5e's more than an' other ani3
ma+s in the ta+ent of imitation( in the +e%it' of our
ideas( and in that inconstanc' $hich has a+$a's )re3
%ented our ha%in* uniform and dura6+e +a$s"
When nature formed our s)ecies( and im)arted
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 133/453
to us a certain )ortion of instinct( se+f3+o%e for our
o$n )reser%ation( 6ene%o+ence for the safet' and
comfort of others( +o%e $hich is common to e%er'
c+ass of anima+ 6ein*( and the ine7)+ica6+e *ift of
com6inin* more ideas than a++ the inferior anima+s
to*ether after 6esto$in* on us this outJt she said
to us - #o( and do the 6est 'ou can"#
There is not a *ood code of +a$s in an' sin*+e
countr'" The reason is o6%ious - +a$s ha%e 6een
made for )articu+ar )ur)oses( accordin* fo time(
)+ace( e7i*encies( and not $ith *enera+ and s'stem3
atic %ie$s"
Dictionar'" <
When the e7i*encies u)on $hich +a$s $ere
founded are chan*ed or remo%ed( the +a$s them3
se+%es 6ecome ridicu+ous" Thus the +a$ $hich for3
6ade eatin* )or5 and drin5in* $ine $as )erfect+'
reasona6+e in Ara6ia( $here )or5 and $ine are in3
9urious 4 6ut at Constantino)+e it is a6surd"
The +a$ $hich confers the $ho+e Jef or +anded
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 134/453
)ro)ert' on the e+dest son( is a %er' *ood one in a
time of *enera+ anarch' and )i++a*e" The e+dest is
then the commander of the cast+e( $hich sooner or
+ater $i++ 6e attac5ed 6' 6ri*ands 4 the 'oun*er
6rothers $i++ 6e his chief o8cers( and the +a6orers
his so+diers" A++ that is to 6e a))rehended is that
the 'oun*er 6rother ma' assassinate or )oison the
e+der( his +ie*e +ord( in order to 6ecome himse+f the
master of the )remises 4 6ut such instances are un3
common( 6ecause nature has so com6ined our in3
stincts and )assions( that $e fee+ a stron*er horror
a*ainst assassinatin* our e+der 6rother( than $e fee+
a desire to succeed to his authorit' and estate" !ut
this +a$( $hich $as suita6+e enou*h to the o$ners
of the *+oom'( sec+uded( and turreted mansions( in
the da's of Chi+)eric( is detesta6+e $hen the case
re+ates $ho++' to the di%ision of fami+' )ro)ert' in
a ci%i+i1ed and $e++3*o%erned cit'"
To the dis*race of man5ind( the +a$s of )+a'
or *amin* are( it is $e++ 5no$n( the on+' ones that
are throu*hout 9ust( c+ear( in%io+a6+e( and carried
into im)artia+ and )erfect e7ecution" Wh' is the
Indian $ho +aid do$n the +a$s of a *ame of chess
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 135/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 136/453
his occu)ation as a usurer( and con%e'ed to E1ion3
e6er the $ho+e of his fami+'( $hich consisted of
his $ife( then far ad%anced in 'ears( a son( and a
dau*hter 4 he had in his train t$o eunuchs( one
of $hom acted as a coo5( and the other as a +a6orer
and %ine3dresser 4 and a )ious Essenian( $ho 5ne$
the Pentateuch com)+ete+' 6' heart( acted as his
a+moner" A++ these em6ar5ed at the )ort of E1ion3
Dictionar'" * I
e6er( tra%ersed the sea common+' ca++ed Red( a+3
thou*h it is far from 6ein* so( and entered the Per3
sian u+f to *o in search of the +and of O)hir( $ith3
out 5no$in* $here it $as" A dreadfu+ tem)est soon
after this came on( $hich dro%e the &e6re$ fami+'
to$ards the coast of India4 and the %esse+ $as
$rec5ed on one of the 0a+di%e is+ands no$ ca++ed
Padra6ranca(6ut $hich $as at that time uninha6ited"
The o+d usurer and his $ife $ere dro$ned 4 the
son and dau*hter( the t$o eunuchs( and the a+moner
$ere sa%ed" The' too5 as much of the )ro%isions
out of the $rec5 as the' $ere a6+e 4 erected for
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 137/453
themse+%es +itt+e ca6ins on the is+and( and +i%ed there
$ith considera6+e con%enience and comfort" ?ou
are a$are that the is+and of Padra6ranca is $ithin
J%e de*rees of the +ine( and that it furnishes the
+ar*est cocoanuts and the 6est )inea))+es in the
$or+d 4 it $as )+easant to ha%e such a +o%e+' as'+um
at a time $hen the fa%orite )eo)+e of od $ere e+se3
$here e7)osed to )ersecution and massacre 4 6ut
the Essenian cou+d not refrain from tears $hen he
reected( that )erha)s those on that ha))' is+and
$ere the on+' .e$s remainin* on the earth( and
that the seed of A6raham $as to 6e annihi+ated"
#Its restoration de)ends entire+' u)on 'ou(# said
the 'oun* .e$ 4 #marr' m' sister"# #I $ou+d $i+3
+in*+'(# said the a+moner( #6ut it is a*ainst the
+a$" I am an Essenian 4 I ha%e made a %o$ ne%er
to marr'4 the +a$ en9oins the strictest o6ser%ance
of a %o$ 4 the .e$ish race ma' come to an end( if
<" Phi+oso)hica+
it must 6e so 4 6ut I $i++ certain+' not marr' 'our
sister in order to )re%ent it( 6eautifu+ and amia6+e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 138/453
as I admit she is"#
#0' t$o eunuchs(# resumed the .e$( #can 6e
of no ser%ice in this aair4 I $i++ therefore marr'
her m'se+f( if 'ou ha%e no o69ection4 and 'ou sha++
6esto$ the usua+ marria*e 6enediction"#
#I had a hundred times rather 6e disem6o$e++ed
6' the Roman so+diers(# said the a+moner( #than to
6e instrumenta+ to 'our committin* incest 4 $ere she
'our sister 6' the father2s side on+'( the +a$ $ou+d
a++o$ of 'our marria*e 4 6ut as she is 'our sister
6' the same mother( such a marria*e $ou+d 6e
a6omina6+e"#
#I can readi+' admit(# returned the 'oun* man(
#that it $ou+d 6e a crime at .erusa+em( $here I mi*ht
see man' other 'oun* $omen( one of $hom I mi*ht
marr' 4 6ut in the is+e of Padra6ranca( $here I see
nothin* 6ut cocoanuts( )inea))+es( and o'sters( I
consider the case to 6e %er' a++o$a6+e"#
The .e$ accordin*+' married his sister( and had
a dau*hter 6' her( not$ithstandin* a++ the )rotesta3
tions of the Essenian 4 and this $as the on+' o3
s)rin* of a marria*e $hich one of them thou*ht
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 139/453
%er' +e*itimate( and the other a6so+ute+' a6omina6+e"
After the e7)iration of fourteen 'ears( the mother
died 4 and the father said to the a+moner( #&a%e
'ou at +en*th *ot rid of 'our o+d )re9udicesM Wi++
'ou marr' m' dau*hterM# #od )reser%e me from
it(# said the Essenian" #Then(# said the father( #I
Dictionar'" <G
$i++ marr' her m'se+f( come $hat $i++ of it 4 for I
cannot 6ear that the seed of A6raham shou+d 6e
tota++' annihi+ated"# The Essenian( struc5 $ith in3
e7)ressi6+e horror( $ou+d d$e++ no +on*er $ith a
man $ho thus %io+ated and deJ+ed the +a$( and ed"
The ne$3married man +oud+' ca++ed after him( sa'3
in*( #Sta' here( m' friend" I am o6ser%in* the +a$
of nature( and doin* *ood to m' countr'4 do not
a6andon 'our friends"# The other suered him to
ca++( and continue to ca++( in %ain 4 his head $as fu++
of the +a$ 4 and he sto))ed not ti++ he had reached(
6' s$immin*( another is+and"
This $as the +ar*e is+and of Atto+a( hi*h+' )o)3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 140/453
u+ous and ci%i+i1ed 4 as soon as he +anded he $as
made a s+a%e" &e com)+ained 6itter+' of the inhos3
)ita6+e manner in $hich he had 6een recei%ed 4 he
$as to+d that such $as the +a$( and that( e%er
since the is+and had 6een %er' near+' sur)rised and
ta5en 6' the inha6itants of that of Ada( it had 6een
$ise+' enacted that a++ stran*ers +andin* at Atto+a
shou+d 6e made s+a%es" #It is im)ossi6+e that can
e%er 6e a +a$(# said the Essenian( #for it is not in
the Pentateuch"# &e $as to+d in re)+'( that it $as
to 6e found in the di*est of the countr' 4 and he
remained a s+a%e - fortunate+' he had a 5ind and
$ea+th' master( $ho treated him %er' $e++( and to
$hom he 6ecame stron*+' attached"
Some murderers once came to the house in $hich
he +i%ed( to 5i++ his master and carr' o his treas3
ure" The' inHuired of the s+a%es if he $as at home(
<Q Phi+oso)hica+
and had much mone' there" #We assure 'ou( on our
oaths(# said the s+a%es( #that he is not at home"#
!ut the Essenian said - #The +a$ does not a++o$ +'3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 141/453
in* 4 I s$ear to 'ou that he is at home( and that he
has a *reat dea+ of mone'"# The master $as( in
conseHuence( ro66ed and murdered 4 the s+a%es ac3
cused the Essenian( 6efore the 9ud*es( of ha%in*
6etra'ed his master" The Essenian said( that he
$ou+d te++ no +ies( and that nothin* in the $or+d
shou+d induce him to te++ one 4 and he $as han*ed"
This histor' $as re+ated to me( $ith man' sim3
i+ar ones( on the +ast %o'a*e I made from India to
France" When I arri%ed( I $ent to Versai++es on
6usiness( and sa$ in the street a 6eautifu+ $oman(
fo++o$ed 6' man' others $ho $ere a+so 6eautifu+"
#Who is that 6eautifu+ $omanM# said I to the 6ar3
rister $ho had accom)anied me 4 for I had a cause
then de)endin* 6efore the Par+iament of Paris a6out
some dresses that I had had made in India( and I
$as desirous of ha%in* m' counse+ as much $ith
me as )ossi6+e" #She is the dau*hter of the 5in*(#
said he( #she is amia6+e and 6eneJcent 4 it is a *reat
)it' that( in no case or circumstance $hate%er( such
a $oman as that can 6ecome Hueen of France"#
#What:# I re)+ied( #if $e had the misfortune to
+ose a++ her re+ations and the )rinces of the 6+ood
$hich od for6id $ou+d not she( in that c,ase( suc3
ceed to the throne of her fatherM# #No(# said the
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 142/453
counse++or 4 #the Sa+ic +a$ e7)ress+' for6ids it"#
#And $ho made this Sa+ic +a$M# said I to the coun3
Dictionar'" <
se++or" #I do not at a++ 5no$(# said he4 #6ut it
is )retended( that amon* an ancient )eo)+e ca++ed
the Sa+ii( $ho $ere una6+e either to read or $rite(
there e7isted a $ritten +a$( $hich enacted( that in
the Sa+ic territor' a dau*hter shou+d not inherit an'
freeho+d"# #And I(# said I to him( #I a6o+ish that
+a$ 4 'ou assure me that this )rincess is amia6+e
and 6eneJcent 4 she $ou+d( therefore( shou+d the ca3
+amit' occur of her 6ein* the +ast e7istin* )erson3
a*e of ro'a+ 6+ood( ha%e an incontesta6+e ri*ht to
the cro$n - m' mother inherited from her father 4
and in the case su))osed( I am reso+%ed that this
)rincess sha++ inherit from hers"#
On the ensuin* da'( m' suit $as decided in one
of the cham6ers of )ar+iament( and I +ost e%er'3
thin* 6' a sin*+e %ote 4 m' counse++or to+d me( that
in another cham6er I shou+d ha%e *ained e%er'thin*
6' a sin*+e %ote" #That is a %er' curious circum3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 143/453
stance(# said I - #at that rate each cham6er )roceeds
6' a dierent +a$"# #That is 9ust the case(# said
he - #there are t$ent'3J%e commentaries on the
common +a$ of Paris - that is to sa'( it is )ro%ed
J%e and t$ent' times o%er( that the common +a$
of Paris is eHui%oca+ 4 and if there had 6een J%e
and t$ent' cham6ers of 9ud*es( there $ou+d 6e 9ust
as man' dierent s'stems of 9uris)rudence" We
ha%e a )ro%ince(# continued he( #Jfteen +ea*ues dis3
tant from Paris( ca++ed Normand'( $here the 9ud*3
ment in 'our cause $ou+d ha%e 6een %er' dierent
from $hat it $as here"# This statement e7cited in
<> Phi+oso)hica+
me a stron* desire to see Normand' 4 and I accord3
in*+' $ent thither $ith one of m' 6rothers" At the
Jrst inn( $e met $ith a 'oun* man $ho $as a+most
in a state of des)air" I inHuired of him $hat $as his
misfortune4 he to+d me it $as ha%in* an e+der
6rother" #Where(# said I( #can 6e the *reat ca+am3
it' of ha%in* an e+der 6rotherM The 6rother I
ha%e is m' e+der( and 'et $e +i%e %er' ha))i+' to3
*ether"# #A+as: sir(# said he to me( #the +a$ of
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 144/453
this )+ace *i%es e%er'thin* to the e+der 6rother( and
of course +ea%es nothin* for the 'oun*er ones"#
#That(# said I( #is enou*h( indeed( to distur6 and
distress 'ou 4 amon* us e%er'thin* is di%ided
eHua++' 4 and 'et( sometimes( 6rothers ha%e no *reat
aection for one another"#
These +itt+e ad%entures occasioned me to ma5e
some o6ser%ations( $hich of course $ere %er' in3
*enious and )rofound( u)on the su69ect of +a$s4
and I easi+' )ercei%ed that it $as $ith them as it
is $ith our *arments - I must $ear a do+iman at
Constantino)+e( and a coat at Paris"
#If a++ human +a$s(# said I( #are matters of con3
%ention( nothin* is necessar' 6ut to ma5e a *ood 6ar3
*ain"# The citi1ens of De+hi and A*ra sa' that the'
ha%e made a %er' 6ad one $ith Tamer+ane - those of
London con*ratu+ate themse+%es on ha%in* made a
%er' *ood one $ith Kin* Wi++iam of Oran*e" A citi3
1en of London once said to me - #La$s are made 6'
necessit'( and o6ser%ed throu*h force"# I as5ed
him if force did not a+so occasiona++' ma5e +a$s(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 145/453
Dictionar'" <
and if Wi++iam( the 6astard and conHueror( had not
chosen sim)+' to issue his orders $ithout conde3
scendin* to ma5e an' con%ention or 6ar*ain $ith
the En*+ish at a++" #True(# said he( #it $as so - $e
$ere o7en at that time 4 Wi++iam 6rou*ht us under
the 'o5e( and dro%e us $ith a *oad4 since that
)eriod $e ha%e 6een metamor)hosed into men 4 the
horns( ho$e%er( remain $ith us sti++( and $e use
them as $ea)ons a*ainst e%er' man $ho attem)ts
ma5in* us $or5 for him and not for ourse+%es"#
With m' mind fu++ of a++ these reections( I
cou+d not he+) fee+in* a sensi6+e *ratiJcation in
thin5in*( that there e7ists a natura+ +a$ entire+'
inde)endent of a++ human con%entions - The fruit
of m' +a6or ou*ht to 6e m' o$n - I am 6ound to
honor m' father and mother - I ha%e no ri*ht o%er
the +ife of m' nei*h6or( nor has m' nei*h6or o%er
mine( etc" !ut $hen I considered( that from Che3
dor+aomer to 0ent1e+( co+one+ of hussars( e%er' one
5i++s and )+unders his nei*h6or accordin* to +a$(
and $ith his )atent in his )oc5et( I $as *reat+' dis3
tressed"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 146/453
I $as to+d that +a$s e7isted e%en amon* ro63
6ers( and that there $ere +a$s a+so in $ar" I as5ed
$hat $ere the +a$s of $ar" #The' are(# said
some one( #to han* u) a 6ra%e o8cer for maintain3
in* a $ea5 )ost $ithout cannon 4 to han* a )risoner(
if the enem' ha%e han*ed an' of 'ours 4 to ra%a*e
$ith Jre and s$ord those %i++a*es $hich sha++ not
ha%e de+i%ered u) their means of su6sistence 6' an
Vo+" ii
< Phi+oso)hica+
a))ointed da'( a*reea6+' to the commands of the
*racious so%erei*n of the %icina*e"# #ood(# said
I( #that is the true s)irit of +a$s"# After acHuirin*
a *ood dea+ of information( I found that there e73
isted some $ise +a$s( 6' $hich a she)herd is con3
demned to nine 'ears2 im)risonment and +a6or in
the *a++e's( for ha%in* *i%en his shee) a +itt+e for3
ei*n sa+t" 0' nei*h6or $as ruined 6' a suit on
account of t$o oa5s 6e+on*in* to him( $hich he
had cut do$n in his $ood( 6ecause he had omitted
a mere form of technica+it' $ith $hich it $as a+3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 147/453
most im)ossi6+e that he shou+d ha%e 6een ac3
Huainted 4 his $ife died( in conseHuence( in miser' 4
and his son is +an*uishin* out a )ainfu+ e7istence"
I admit that these +a$s are 9ust( a+thou*h their e7e3
cution is a +itt+e se%ere 4 6ut I must ac5no$+ed*e I
am no friend to +a$s $hich authori1e a hundred
thousand nei*h6ors +o'a++' to set a6out cuttin* one
another2s throats" It a))ears to me that the *reater
)art of man5ind ha%e recei%ed from nature a su83
cient )ortion of $hat is ca++ed common sense for
ma5in* +a$s( 6ut that the $ho+e $or+d has not 9us3
tice enou*h to ma5e *ood +a$s"
Sim)+e and tranHui+ cu+ti%ators( co++ected from
e%er' )art of the $or+d( $ou+d easi+' a*ree that
e%er' one shou+d 6e free to se++ the su)eruit' of
his o$n corn to his nei*h6or( and that e%er4 +a$ con3
trar' to it is 6oth inhuman and a6surd4 that the
%a+ue of mone'( 6ein* the re)resentati%e of com3
modities( ou*ht no more to 6e tam)ered $ith than
Dictionar'" <<
the )roduce of the earth 4 that the father of a fam3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 148/453
i+' shou+d 6e master in his o$n house4 that re3
+i*ion shou+d co++ect men to*ether( to unite them in
5indness and friendshi)( and not to ma5e them fa3
natics and )ersecutors 4 and that those $ho +a6or
ou*ht not to 6e de)ri%ed of the fruits of their +a6or(
to endo$ su)erstition and id+eness" In the course of
an hour( thirt' +a$s of this descri)tion( a++ of a na3
ture 6eneJcia+ to man5ind( $ou+d 6e unanimous+'
a*reed to"
!ut +et Tamer+ane arri%e and su69u*ate India(
and 'ou $i++ then see nothin* 6ut ar6itrar' +a$s"
One $i++ o))ress and *rind do$n a $ho+e )ro%ince(
mere+' to enrich one of Tamer+ane2s co++ectors of
re%enue 4 another $i++ scre$ u) to the crime of
hi*h treason( s)ea5in* contem)tuous+' of the mis3
tress of a ra9ah2s chief %a+et4 a third $i++ e7tort
from the farmer a moiet' of his har%est( and dis3
)ute $ith him the ri*ht to the remainder 4 in short(
there $i++ 6e +a$s 6' $hich a Tartar ser*eant $i++
fee authori1ed to sei1e 'our chi+dren in the crad+e
to ma5e one( $ho is ro6ust( a so+dier to con%ert
another( $ho is $ea5( into a eunuch and thus to
+ea%e the father and mother $ithout assistance and
$ithout conso+ation"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 149/453
!ut $hich $ou+d 6e )refera6+e( 6ein* Tamer3
+ane2s do* or his su69ectM It is e%ident that the
condition of his do* $ou+d 6e 6' far the 6etter one"
ioo Phi+oso)hica+
LAWS SPIRIT OF"
IT WO/LD 6e admira6+e( if from a++ the 6oo5s u)on
+a$s 6' !odin( &o66es( rotius( Puendorf( 0on3
tesHuieu( !ar6e'rac( and !ur+amaHui( some *enera+
+a$ $as ado)ted 6' the $ho+e of the tri6una+s of
Euro)e u)on succession( contracts( re%enue of3
fences( etc" !ut neither the citations of rotius(
nor those of Puendorf( nor those of the #S)irit of
La$s(# ha%e e%er +ed to a sentence in the Chate+et
of Paris or the O+d !ai+e' of London" We $ear'
ourse+%es $ith rotius( )ass some a*reea6+e mo3
ments $ith 0ontesHuieu 4 6ut if )rocess 6e deemed
ad%isa6+e( $e run to our attorne'" 2
It has 6een said that the +etter 5i++s( 6ut that in
the s)irit there is +ife" It is decided+' the contrar'
in the 6oo5 of 0ontesHuieu 4 the s)irit is diusi%e(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 150/453
and the +etter teaches nothin*"
Fa+se Citations in the #S)irit of La$s(# and Fa+se
ConseHuences Dra$n from Them 6' the Au3
thor"
It is o6ser%ed( that #the En*+ish( to fa%or +i6ert'(
ha%e a6stracted a++ the intermediate )o$ers $hich
formed )art of their constitution"#
On the contrar'( the' ha%e )reser%ed the /))er
&ouse( and the *reater )art of the 9urisdictions
$hich stand 6et$een the cro$n and the )eo)+e"
#The esta6+ishment of a %i1ier in a des)otic state
is a fundamenta+ +a$"#
0ONTES/IE/
Dictionar'" ;=;
A 9udicious critic has remar5ed that this is as
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 151/453
much as to sa' that the o8ce of the ma'ors of the
)a+ace $as a fundamenta+ o8ce" Constantine $as
hi*h+' des)otic( 'et had no *rand %i1ier" Louis
BIV" $as +ess des)otic( and had no Jrst minister"
The )o)es are su8cient+' des)otic( and 'et se+dom
)ossess them"
#The sa+e of em)+o'ments is *ood in monarch3
ica+ states( 6ecause it ma5es it the )rofession of )er3
sons of fami+' to underta5e em)+o'ments( $hich the'
$ou+d not fu+J+ from disinterested moti%es a+one"#
Is it 0ontesHuieu $ho $rites these odious +ines M
What : 6ecause the %ices of Francis I" deran*ed the
)u6+ic Jnances( must $e se++ to i*norant 'oun* men
the ri*ht of decidin* u)on the honor( fortune( and
+i%es of the )eo)+eM What: is it *ood in a mon3
arch'( that the o8ce of ma*istrate shou+d 6ecome
a fami+' )ro%isionM If this infam' $as sa+utar'(
some other countr' $ou+d ha%e ado)ted it as $e++
as France 4 6ut there is not another monarch' on
earth $hich has merited the o))ro6rium" This
monstrous anoma+' s)ran* from the )rodi*a+it' of
a ruined and s)endthrift monarch( and the %anit' of
certain citi1ens $hose fathers )ossessed mone' 4
and the $retched a6use has a+$a's 6een $ea5+' at3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 152/453
tac5ed( 6ecause it $as fe+t that reim6ursement $ou+d
6e di8cu+t" It $ou+d 6e a thousand times 6etter(
said a *reat 9urisconsu+t( to se++ the treasure of
a++ the con%ents( and the )+ate of a++ the churches(
than to se++ 9ustice" When Francis I" sei1ed the si+3
io Phi+oso)hica+
%er *ratin* of St" 0artin( he did harm to no one4
St" 0artin com)+ained not( and )arted %er' easi+'
$ith his screen4 6ut to se++ the )+ace of 9ud*e( and
at the same time ma5e the 9ud*e s$ear that he has
not 6ou*ht it( is a 6ase sacri+e*e"
Let us com)+ain that 0ontesHuieu has dishon3
ored his $or5 6' such )arado7es 6ut at the same
time +et us )ardon him" &is unc+e )urchased the
o8ce of a )ro%incia+ )resident( and 6eHueathed it
to him" &uman nature is to 6e reco*ni1ed in e%er'3
thin*( and there are none of us $ithout $ea5ness"
#!eho+d ho$ industrious+' the 0usco%ite *o%3
ernment see5s to emer*e from des)otism"#
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 153/453
Is it in a6o+ishin* the )atriarchate and the acti%e
mi+itia of the stre+it1es 4 in 6ein* the a6so+ute master
of the troo)s( of the re%enue( and of the church( of
$hich the functionaries are )aid from the )u6+ic
treasur' a+oneM or is it )ro%ed 6' ma5in* +a$s to
render that )o$er as sacred as it is mi*ht'M It is
me+ancho+'( that in so man' citations and so man'
ma7ims( the contrar' of $hat is asserted shou+d 6e
a+most a+$a's the truth"
#The +u7ur' of those $ho )ossess the necessa3
ries of +ife on+'( $i++ 6e 1ero4 the +u7ur' of those
$ho )ossess as much a*ain( $i++ 6e eHua+ to one 4
of those $ho )ossess dou6+e the means of the +atter(
three 4 and so on"#
The +atter $i++ )ossess three times the e7cess 6e3
'ond the necessaries of +ife 4 6ut it 6' no means fo+3
+o$s that he $i++ )ossess three times as man' +u73
Dictionar'" ;=G
uries 4 for he ma' 6e thrice as a%aricious( or ma'
em)+o' the su)eruit' in commerce( or in )ortions
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 154/453
to his dau*hters" These )ro)ositions are not af3
fairs of arithmetic( and such ca+cu+ations are mis3
era6+e Huac5er'"
#The Samnites had a Jne custom( $hich must
ha%e )roduced admira6+e resu+ts" The 'oun* man
dec+ared the most $orth' chose a $ife $here he
)+eased 4 he $ho had the ne7t num6er of sura*es
in his fa%or fo++o$ed( and so on throu*hout"#
The author has mista5en the Sunites( a )eo)+e of
Sc'thia( for the Samnites( in the nei*h6orhood of
Rome" &e Huotes a fra*ment of Nicho+as de De3
mas( )reser%ed 6' Sto6seus - 6ut is the said Nicho+as
a su8cient authorit'M This Jne custom $ou+d
moreo%er 6e %er' in9urious in a $e++3*o%erned coun3
tr'4 for if the 9ud*es shou+d 6e decei%ed in the
'oun* man dec+ared the most $orth'4 if the fe3
ma+e se+ected shou+d not +i5e him 4 or if he $ere o63
9ectiona6+e in the e'es of the *ir+2s )arents( %er'
fata+ resu+ts mi*ht fo++o$"
#On readin* the admira6+e $or5 of Tacitus on
the manners of the ermans( it $i++ 6e seen that
it is from them the En*+ish dre$ the idea of their
)o+itica+ *o%ernment" That admira6+e s'stem ori*3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 155/453
inated in the $oods"#
The houses of )eers and of commons( and the
En*+ish courts of +a$ and eHuit'( found in the
$oods: Who $ou+d ha%e su))osed itM Without
dou6t( the En*+ish o$e their sHuadrons and their
IOQ Phi+oso)hica+
commerce to the manners of the ermans 4 and the
sermons of Ti++otson to those )ious erman sorcer3
ers $ho sacriJced their )risoners( and 9ud*ed of
their success in $ar 6' the manner in $hich the 6+ood
o$ed" We must 6e+ie%e( a+so( that the En*+ish
are inde6ted for their Jne manufactures to the +aud3
a6+e )ractice of the ermans( $ho( as Tacitus o63
ser%es( )referred ro66er' to toi+"
#Aristot+e ran5ed amon* monarchies the *o%ern3
ments 6oth of Persia and Lacedsemon 4 6ut $ho can3
not )ercei%e that the one $as a des)otism( the other
a re)u6+icM#
Who( on the contrar'( cannot )ercei%e that Lac3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 156/453
edaemon had a sin*+e 5in* for four hundred 'ears(
and t$o 5in*s unti+ the e7tinction of the &erac+idse(
a )eriod of a6out a thousand 'ears M We 5no$ that
no 5in* $as des)otic of ri*ht( not e%en in Persia4
6ut e%er' 6o+d and dissem6+in* )rince $ho amasses
mone'( 6ecomes des)otic in a +itt+e time( either in
Persia or Laced1emon 4 and( therefore( Aristot+e
distin*uishes e%er' state )ossessin* )er)etua+ and
hereditar' chiefs( from re)u6+ics"
#Peo)+e of $arm c+imates are timid( +i5e o+d men 4
those of co+d countries are coura*eous( +i5e 'oun*
ones"#
We shou+d ta5e *reat care ho$ *enera+ )ro)osi3
tions esca)e us" No one has e%er 6een a6+e to ma5e
a La)+ander or an EsHuimau7 $ar+i5e( $Q9i+e the
Ara6s in fourscore 'ears conHuered a territor'
$hich e7ceeded that of the $ho+e Roman Em)ire"
Dictionar'" ;=
This ma7im of 0" 0ontesHuieu is eHua++' erroneous
$ith a++ the rest on the su69ect of c+imate"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 157/453
#Louis BIII" $as e7treme+' a%erse to )assin* a
+a$ $hich made the ne*roes of the French co+onies
s+a%es 4 6ut $hen he $as *i%en to understand that
it $as the most certain $a' of con%ertin* them( he
consented"#
Where did the author )ic5 u) this anecdoteM
The Jrst arran*ement for the treatment of the ne3
*roes $as made in ;>G( thirt' 'ears after the death
of Louis BIII" This resem6+es the refusa+ of Fran3
cis I" to +isten to the )ro9ect of Christo)her Co+um3
6us( $ho had disco%ered the Anti++es 6efore Francis
I" $as 6orn"
#The Romans ne%er e7hi6ited an' 9ea+ous' on the
score of commerce" It $as as a ri%a+( not as a com3
mercia+ nation( that the' attac5ed Cartha*e"#
It $as 6oth as a $ar+i5e and as a commercia+
nation( as the +earned &uet )ro%es in his #Commerce
of the Ancients(# $hen he sho$s that the Romans
$ere addicted to commerce a +on* time 6efore the
Jrst Punic $ar"
#The steri+it' of the territor' of Athens esta63
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 158/453
+ished a )o)u+ar *o%ernment there( and the ferti+3
it' of that of Lacedsemon an aristocratic one"#
Whence this chimeraM From ens+a%ed Athens
$e sti++ deri%e cotton( si+5( rice( corn( oi+( and s5ins 4
and from the countr' of Lacedsemon nothin*" Ath3
ens $as t$ent' times richer than Lacedsemon" With
res)ect to the com)arati%e ferti+it' of the soi+( it is
;=> Phi+oso)hica+
necessar' to %isit those countries to a))reciate it4
6ut the form of a *o%ernment is ne%er attri6uted to
the *reater or +ess ferti+it'" Venice had %er' +itt+e
corn $hen her no6+es *o%erned" enoa is assured+'
not ferti+e( and 'et is an aristocrac'" ene%a is a
more )o)u+ar state( and has not the means of e7ist3
in* a fortni*ht u)on its o$n )roductions" S$eden(
$hich is eHua++' )oor( has for a +on* time su6mit3
ted to the 'o5e of a monarch' 4 $hi+e ferti+e Po+and
is aristocratic" I cannot concei%e ho$ *enera+ ru+es
can 6e esta6+ished( $hich ma' 6e fa+siJed u)on the
s+i*htest a))ea+ to e7)erience"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 159/453
#In Euro)e( em)ires ha%e ne%er 6een a6+e to e73
ist"# ?et the Roman Em)ire e7isted for J%e hun3
dred 'ears( and that of the Tur5s has maintained
itse+f since the 'ear ;QG"
#The duration of the *reat em)ires of Asia is
)rinci)a++' o$in* to the )re%a+ence of %ast )+ains"#
0" 0ontesHuieu for*ets the mountains $hich cross
Nato+ia and S'ria( Caucasus( Taurus( Ararat( Im3
aus( and others( the ramiJcations of $hich e7tend
throu*hout Asia"
After thus con%incin* ourse+%es that errors
a6ound in the #S)irit of La$s# 4 after e%er'6od' is
satisJed that this $or5 $ants method( and )ossesses
neither )+an nor order"it is )ro)er to inHuire into that
$hich rea++' forms its merit( and $hich has +ed to
its *reat re)utation"
In the Jrst )+ace( it is $ritten $ith *reat $it( $hi+e
Dictionar'" ;=
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 160/453
the authors of a++ the other 6oo5s on this su69ect are
tedious" It $as on this account that a +ad'( $ho
)ossessed as much $it as 0ontesHuieu( o6ser%ed(
that his 6oo5 $as #I2es)rit sur +es +ois"# It can
ne%er 6e more correct+' deJned"
A sti++ stron*er reason is that the 6oo5 e7hi6its
*rand %ie$s( attac5s t'rann'( su)erstition( and *rind3
in* ta7ation three thin*s $hich man5ind detest"
The author conso+es s+a%es in +amentin* their fetters(
and the s+a%es in return a))+aud him"
2One of the most 6itter and a6surd of his enemies(
$ho contri6uted most 6' his ra*e to e7a+t the name
of 0ontesHuieu throu*hout Euro)e( $as the 9our3
na+ist of the Con%u+sionaries" &e ca++ed him a S)i3
no1ist and deist 4 that is to sa'( he accused him at
the same time of not 6e+ie%in* in od and of 6e3
+ie%in* in od a+one"
&e re)roaches him $ith his esteem for 0arcus
Aure+ius( E)ictetus( and the Stoics 4 and for not
+o%in* .ansenists the A66e de St" C'ran and Father
uesne+" &e asserts that he has committed an un3
)ardona6+e crime in ca++in* !a'+e a *reat man"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 161/453
&e )retends that the #S)irit of La$s# is one of
those monstrous $or5s $ith $hich France has 6een
inundated since the !u++ /ni*enitus( $hich has cor3
ru)ted the consciences of a++ )eo)+e"
This tatterdema+ion from his *arret( deri%in* at
+east three hundred )er cent( from his ecc+esiastica+
*a1ette( dec+aimed +i5e a foo+ a*ainst interest u)on
mone' at the +e*a+ rate" &e $as seconded 6' some
io Phi+oso)hica+
)edants of his o$n sort 4 and the $ho+e conc+uded
in their resem6+in* the s+a%es )+aced at the foot of
the statue of Louis BIV"4 the' are crushed( and
*na$ their o$n esh in re%en*e"
0ontesHuieu $as a+most a+$a's in error $ith
the +earned( 6ecause he $as not +earned 4 6ut he
$as a+$a's ri*ht a*ainst the fanatics and )romoters
of s+a%er'" Euro)e o$es him eterna+ *ratitude"
LENT"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 162/453
SECTION I"
O/R Huestions on Lent $i++ mere+' re*ard the
)o+ice" It a))eared usefu+ to ha%e a time in the
'ear in $hich $e shou+d eat fe$er o7en( ca+%es(
+am6s( and )ou+tr'" ?oun* fo$+s and )i*eons are
not read' in Fe6ruar' and 0arch( the time in $hich
Lent fa++s 4 and it is *ood to cease the carna*e for
some $ee5s in countries in $hich )astures are not
so ferti+e as those of En*+and and &o++and"
The ma*istrates of )o+ice ha%e %er' $ise+'
ordered that meat shou+d 6e a +itt+e dearer at Paris
durin* this time( and that the )roJt shou+d 6e *i%en
to the hos)ita+s" It is an a+most insensi6+e tri6ute
)aid 6' +u7ur' and *+utton' to indi*ence 4 for it is
the rich $ho are not a6+e to 5ee) Lent the )oor
fast a++ the 'ear"
There are %er' fe$ farmin* men $ho eat meat
once a month" If the' ate of it e%er' da'( there
$ou+d not 6e enou*h for the most ourishin* 5in*3
dom" T$ent' mi++ions of )ounds of meat a da'
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 163/453
Dictionar'" ;=<
$ou+d ma5e se%en thousand three hundred mi++ions
of )ounds a 'ear" This ca+cu+ation is a+armin*"
The sma++ num6er of the rich( Jnanciers( )re+3
ates( )rinci)a+ ma*istrates( *reat +ords( and *reat
+adies $ho condescend to ha%e mai*re ser%ed at
their ta6+es( fast durin* si7 $ee5s on so+es( sa+mon(
tur6ots( stur*eons( etc"
One of our most famous Jnanciers had couriers(
$ho for a hundred cro$ns 6rou*ht him fresh sea
Jsh e%er' da' to Paris" This e7)ense su))orted the
couriers( the dea+ers $ho so+d the horses( the Jsh3
ermen $ho furnished the Jsh( the ma5ers of nets(
constructors of 6oats( and the dru**ists from $hom
$ere )rocured the reJned s)ices $hich *i%e to a Jsh
a taste su)erior to that of meat" Lucu++us cou+d
not ha%e 5e)t Lent more %o+u)tuous+'"
It shou+d further 6e remar5ed that fresh sea Jsh(
in comin* to Paris( )a's a considera6+e ta7" The
secretaries of the rich( their %a+ets de cham6re(
+adies2 maids( and ste$ards( )arta5e of the dessert
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 164/453
of Croesus( and fast as de+icious+' as he"
It is not the same $ith the )oor 4 not on+' if
for four sous the' )arta5e of a sma++ )ortion of
tou*h mutton do the' commit a *reat sin( 6ut the'
see5 in %ain for this misera6+e a+iment" What do
the' therefore feed u)onM Chestnuts( r'e 6read(
the cheeses $hich the' ha%e )ressed from the mi+5
of their co$s( *oats or shee)( and some fe$ of the
e**s of their )ou+tr'"
There are churches $hich for6id them the e**s
no Phi+oso)hica+
and the mi+5" What then remains for them to eatM
Nothin*" The' consent to fast4 6ut the' consent
not to die" It is a6so+ute+' necessar' that the' shou+d
+i%e( if it 6e on+' to cu+ti%ate the +ands of the fat
rectors and +a1' mon5s"
We therefore as5( if it 6e+on*s not to the ma*is3
trates of the )o+ice of the 5in*dom( char*ed $ith
$atchin* o%er the hea+th of the inha6itants( to *i%e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 165/453
them )ermission to eat the cheeses $hich their o$n
hands ha%e formed( and the e**s $hich their fo$+s
ha%e +aid M
It a))ears that mi+5( e**s( cheese( and a++ $hich
can nourish the farmer( are re*u+ated 6' the )o+ice(
and not 6' a re+i*ious ru+e"
We hear not that .esus Christ for6ade ome+ets to
&is a)ost+es 4 &e said to them - #Eat such thin*s as
are set 6efore 'ou"#
The &o+' Church has ordained Lent( 6ut in Hua+3
it' of the Church it commands it on+' to the heart 4 it
can inict s)iritua+ )ains a+one 4 it cannot as for3
mer+' 6urn a )oor man( $ho( ha%in* on+' some rust'
6acon( )ut a s+ice of it on a )iece of 6+ac5 6read
the da' after Shro%e Tuesda'"
Sometimes in the )ro%inces the )astors *o 6e3
'ond their dut'( and for*ettin* the ri*hts of the
ma*istrac'( underta5e to *o amon* the inn5ee)ers
and coo5s( to see if the' ha%e not some otuices of
meat in their sauce)ans( some o+d fo$+s on their
hoo5s( or some e**s in a cu)6oard4 for e**s are
for6idden in Lent" The' intimidate the )oor )eo)+e(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 166/453
Dictionar'" ; ; ;
and )roceed to %io+ence to$ards the unfortunates(
$ho 5no$ not that it 6e+on*s a+one to the ma*is3
trac' to interfere" It is an odious and )unisha6+e
inHuisition"
The ma*istrates a+one can 6e ri*ht+' informed of
the more or +ess a6undant )ro%isions reHuired 6'
the )oor )eo)+e of the )ro%inces" The c+er*' ha%e
occu)ations more su6+ime" Shou+d it not therefore
6e+on* to the ma*istrates to re*u+ate $hat the )eo)+e
eat in LentM Who shou+d )r' into the +e*a+ con3
sum)tion of a countr' if not the )o+ice of that
countr' M
SECTION II"
Did the Jrst $ho $ere ad%ised to fast )ut them3
se+%es under this re*imen 6' order of the )h'sician(
for indi*estionM The $ant of a))etite $hich $e
fee+ in *rief $as it the Jrst ori*in of fast3da's
)rescri6ed in me+ancho+' re+i*ionsM
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 167/453
Did the .e$s ta5e the custom of fastin* from the
E*')tians( a++ of $hose rites the' imitated( inc+ud3
in* a*e++ation and the sca)e3*oatM Wh' fasted
.esus for fort' da's in the desert( $here &e $as
tem)ted 6' the de%i+ 6' the #Chath6u++#M St"
0atthe$ remar5s that after this Lent &e $as
hun*r'4 &e $as therefore not hun*r' durin* the
fast"
Wh'( in da's of a6stinence( does the Roman
Church consider it a crime to eat terrestria+ anima+s(
and a *ood $or5 to 6e ser%ed $ith so+es and sa+mon M
The rich Pa)ist $ho sha++ ha%e J%e hundred francs2
; ; Phi+oso)hica+
$orth of Jsh u)on his ta6+e sha++ 6e sa%ed( and the
)oor $retch d'in* $ith hun*er( $ho sha++ ha%e
eaten four sous2 $orth of sa+t )or5( sha++ 6e damned"
Wh' must $e as5 )ermission of the 6isho) to
eat e**sM If a 5in* ordered his )eo)+e ne%er to
eat e**s( $ou+d he not 6e thou*ht the most ridicu3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 168/453
+ous of t'rantsM &o$ stran*e the a%ersion of
6isho)s to ome+ets :
Can $e 6e+ie%e that amon* Pa)ists there ha%e
6een tri6una+s im6eci+e( du++( and 6ar6arous enou*h
to condemn to death )oor citi1ens( $ho had no other
crimes than that of ha%in* eaten of horseesh in
LentM The fact is 6ut too true4 I ha%e in m'
hands a sentence of this 5ind" What renders it
sti++ more stran*e is that the 9ud*es $ho )assed
such sentences 6e+ie%ed themse+%es su)erior to the
IroHuois"
Foo+ish and crue+ )riests( to $hom do 'ou order
LentM Is it to the richM the' ta5e *ood care to
o6ser%e it" Is it to the )oorM the' 5ee) Lent a++
the 'ear" The unha))' )easant scarce+' e%er eats
meat( and has not $here$itha+ to 6u' Jsh" Foo+s
that 'ou are( $hen $i++ 'ou correct 'our a6surd
+a$s M
LEPROS?( ETC"
T&IS artic+e re+ates to t$o )o$erfu+ di%inities(
one ancient and the other modern( $hich ha%e
rei*ned in our hemis)here" The re%erend father
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 169/453
Dictionar'" ;;G
Dom Ca+met( a *reat antiHuarian( that is( a *reat
com)i+er of $hat $as said in former times and
$hat is re)eated at the )resent da'( has confounded
+ues $ith +e)ros'" &e maintains that it $as the
+ues $ith $hich the $orth' .o6 $as aicted( and he
su))oses( after a conJdent and arro*ant commenta3
tor of the name of Pineida( that the +ues and +e)ros'
are )recise+' the same disorder" Ca+met is not a
)h'sician( neither is he a reasoner( 6ut he is a citer
of authorities 4 and in his %ocation of commentator(
citations are a+$a's su6stituted for reasons" When
Astruc( in his histor' of +ues( Huotes authorities that
the disorder came in fact from San Domin*o( and
that the S)aniards 6rou*ht it from America( his
citations are some$hat more conc+usi%e"
There are t$o circumstances $hich( in m'
o)inion( )ro%e that +ues ori*inated in America4
the Jrst is( the mu+titude of authors( 6oth medica+
and sur*ica+( of the si7teenth centur'( $ho attest
the fact 4 and the second is( the si+ence of a++ the
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 170/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 171/453
American +ues $as not introduced into Euro)e unti+
the Jfteenth centur'4 and that +e)ros' is as dif3
ferent from those t$o ma+adies( as )a+s' from St"
u'2s or St" Vitus2 dance"
Le)ros' $as a sca6ious disease of a dreadfu+
character" The .e$s $ere more su69ect to it than
an' other )eo)+e +i%in* in hot c+imates( 6ecause the'
had neither +inen( nor domestic 6aths" These )eo)+e
$ere so ne*+i*ent of c+ean+iness and the decencies
of +ife that their +e*is+ators $ere o6+i*ed to ma5e a
+a$ to com)e+ them e%en to $ash their hands"
A++ that $e *ained in the end 6' en*a*in* in the
crusades( $as +e)ros' 4 and of a++ that $e had ta5en(
that $as the on+' thin* that remained $ith us" It
$as necessar' e%er'$here to 6ui+d +a1arettos( in
$hich to conJne the unfortunate %ictims of a disease
at once )esti+entia+ and incura6+e"
Le)ros'( as $e++ as fanaticism and usur'( had
6een a distin*uishin* characteristic of .4he .e$s"
These $retched )eo)+e ha%in* no )h'sicians( the
)riests too5 u)on themse+%es the mana*ement and
re*u+ation of +e)ros'( and made it a concern of re3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 172/453
Dictionar'" i T
+i*ion" This has occasioned some indiscreet and
)rofane critics to remar5 that the .e$s $ere no
6etter than a nation of sa%a*es under the direction
of their 9u**+ers" Their )riests in fact ne%er cured
+e)ros'( 6ut the' cut o from societ' those $ho
$ere infected 6' it( and thus acHuired a )o$er of
the *reatest im)ortance" E%er' man +a6orin* under
this disease %as im)risoned( +i5e a thief or a ro66er 4
and thus a $oman $ho $as desirous of *ettin* rid
of her hus6and had on+' to secure the sanction of
the )riest( and the unfortunate hus6and $as shut
u) it $as the #+ettre de cachet# of the da'" The
.e$s and those 6' $hom the' $ere *o%erned $ere
so i*norant that the' ima*ined the moth3ho+es in
*arments( and the mi+de$ u)on $a++s( to 6e the
eects of +e)ros'" The' actua++' concei%ed their
houses and c+othes to ha%e +e)ros' 4 thus the )eo)+e
themse+%es( and their %er' ra*s and ho%e+s( $ere
a++ 6rou*ht under the rod of the )riesthood"
One )roof that( at the time of the Jrst introduc3
tion of the +ues( there $as no connection 6et$een
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 173/453
that disorder and +e)ros'( is that the fe$ +e)ers that
remained at the conc+usion of the Jfteenth centur'
$ere oended at an' 5ind of com)arison 6et$een
themse+%es and those $ho $ere aected 6' +ues"
Some of the )ersons thus aected $ere in the
Jrst instance sent to the hos)ita+ for +e)ers( 6ut $ere
recei%ed 6' them $ith indi*nation" The +e)ers )re3
sented a )etition to 6e se)arated from them 4 as
)ersons im)risoned for de6t or aairs of honor
; ; > Phi+oso)hica+
c+aim a ri*ht not to 6e confounded $ith the2 common
herd of crimina+s"
We ha%e a+read' o6ser%ed that the Par+iament of
Paris( on 0arch >( ;Q<>( issued an order( 6' $hich
a++ )ersons +a6orin* under +ues( un+ess the' $ere
citi1ens of Paris( $ere en9oined to de)art $ithin
t$ent'3four hours( under )ain of 6ein* han*ed"
This order $as neither Christian( +e*a+( nor 9udi3
cious 4 6ut it )ro%es that +ues $as re*arded as a ne$
)+a*ue $hich had nothin* in common $ith +e)ros' 4
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 174/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 175/453
Dictionar'" ; ;
and J*ure on the sta*e of +ife 4 the' ma5e +o%e at the
ha1ard of destruction4 and intri*ue( carr' on $ar(
and form )ro9ects( 9ust as if the' $ere to +i%e in
+u7ur' and de+i*ht for a thousand a*es"
LETTERS 0EN OF"
IN T&E 6ar6arous times $hen the Fran5s( er3
mans( !retons( Lom6ards( and S)anish 0o1ara6ians
5ne$ neither ho$ to read nor $rite( $e instituted
schoo+s and uni%ersities a+most entire+' com)osed
of ecc+esiastics( $ho( 5no$in* on+' their o$n 9ar*on(
tau*ht this 9ar*on to those $ho $ou+d +earn it"
Academies $ere not founded unti+ +on* after4 the
+atter ha%e des)ised the fo++ies of the schoo+s( 6ut
the' ha%e not a+$a's dared to o))ose them( 6ecause
there are fo++ies $hich $e res)ect $hen the' are
attached to res)ecta6+e thin*s"
0en of +etters $ho ha%e rendered the most
ser%ice to the sma++ num6er of thin5in* 6ein*s scat3
tered o%er the earth are iso+ated scho+ars( true sa*es
shut u) in their c+osets( $ho ha%e neither )u6+ic+'
dis)uted in the uni%ersities( nor said thin*s 6'
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 176/453
ha+%es in the academies 4 and such ha%e a+most a++
6een )ersecuted" Our misera6+e race is so created
that those $ho $a+5 in the 6eaten )ath a+$a's thro$
stones at those $ho $ou+d sho$ them a ne$ one"
0ontesHuieu sa's that the Sc'thians )ut out the
e'es of their s+a%es that the' mi*ht 6e more attenti%e
to the ma5in* of their 6utter" It is thus that the In3
Huisition acts( aod a+most e%er' one is 6+inded in
; ; Phi+oso)hica+
the countries in $hich this monster rei*ns" In
En*+and )eo)+e ha%e had t$o e'es for more than
a hundred 'ears" The French are 6e*innin* to
o)en one e'e 6ut sometimes men in )+ace $i++ not
e%en )ermit us to 6e one3e'ed"
These misera6+e statesmen are +i5e Doctor !a+3
ouard of the Ita+ian comed'( $ho $i++ on+' 6e ser%ed
6' the foo+ &ar+eHuin( and $ho fears to ha%e too
)enetratin* a ser%ant"
Com)ose odes in )raise of Lord Su)er6us Fatus(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 177/453
madri*a+s for his mistress4 dedicate a 6oo5 of
*eo*ra)h' to his )orter( and 'ou $i++ 6e $e++ re3
cei%ed" En+i*hten men( and 'ou $i++ 6e crushed"
Descartes is o6+i*ed to Huit his countr'4 as3
sendi is ca+umniated4 Arnaud )asses his da's in
e7i+e4 a++ the )hi+oso)hers are treated as the
)ro)hets $ere amon* the .e$s"
Who $ou+d 6e+ie%e that in the ei*hteenth cen3
tur'( a )hi+oso)her has 6een dra**ed 6efore the
secu+ar tri6una+s( and treated as im)ious 6' reason3
in* theo+o*ians( for ha%in* said that men cou+d not
)ractise the arts if the' had no handsM I e7)ect
that the' $i++ soon condemn to the *a++e's the Jrst
$ho sha++ ha%e the inso+ence to sa' that a man cou+d
not thin5 if he had no head4 for a +earned 6ache+or
$i++ sa' to him( the sou+ is a )ure s)irit( the head
is on+' matter4 od can )+ace the sou+ in the hee+
as $e++ as in the 6rain4 therefore I denounce 'ou
as a 6+as)hemer"
The *reat misfortune of a man of +etters is not
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 178/453
Dictionar'" ;;<
)erha)s 6ein* the o69ect of the 9ea+ous' of his
6rothers( the %ictim of ca6a+s( and the contem)t of
the )o$erfu+ of the $or+d it is 6ein* 9ud*ed 6'
foo+s" Foo+s sometimes *o %er' far( )articu+ar+'
$hen fanaticism is 9oined to fo++'( and fo++' to the
s)irit of %en*eance" Further( the *reat misfortune
of a man of +etters is *enera++' to ho+d to nothin*"
A citi1en 6u's a +itt+e situation( and is maintained
6' his fe++o$3citi1ens" If an' in9ustice is done to
him( he soon Jnds defenders" The +iterar' man is
$ithout aid4 he resem6+es the 'in* Jsh4 if he
rises a +itt+e( the 6irds de%our him 4 if he di%es( the
Jshes eat him u)" E%er' )u6+ic man )a's tri6ute
to ma+i*nit' 4 6ut he is re)aid in deniers and honors"
LI!EL"
S0ALL( oensi%e 6oo5s are termed +i6e+s" These
6oo5s are usua++' sma++( 6ecause the authors( ha%in*
fe$ reasons to *i%e( and usua++' $ritin* not to in3
form( 6ut mis+ead( if the' are desirous of 6ein*
read( must necessari+' 6e 6rief" Names are rare+'
used on these occasions( for assassins fear 6ein* de3
tected in the em)+o'ment of for6idden $ea)ons"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 179/453
In the time of the Lea*ue and the Fronde( )o+iti3
ca+ +i6e+s a6ounded" E%er' dis)ute in En*+and )ro3
duces hundreds 4 and a +i6rar' mi*ht 6e formed of
those $ritten a*ainst Louis BIV"
We ha%e had theo+o*ica+ +i6e+s for si7teen hun3
dred 'ears 4 and $hat is $orse( these are esteemed
ho+' 6' the %u+*ar" On+' see ho$ St" .erome treats
IO Phi+oso)hica+
RuJnus and Vi*i+antius" The +atest +i6e+s are those
of the 0o+inists and .ansenists( $hich amount to
thousands" Of a++ this mass there remains on+'
#The Pro%incia+ Letters"#
0en of +etters ma' dis)ute the num6er of their
+i6e+s $ith the theo+o*ians" !oi+eau and Fontene++e(
$ho attac5ed one another $ith e)i*rams( 6oth said
that their cham6ers $ou+d not contain the +i6e+s
$ith $hich the' had 6een assai+ed" A++ these dis3
a))ear +i5e the +ea%es in autumn" Some )eo)+e
ha%e maintained that an'thin* oensi%e $ritten
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 180/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 181/453
+i6e+s a*ainst the em)eror .u+ian( 6ut the' $ere so
*enerous as not to )u6+ish them unti+ after his death"
Nothin* resem6+es +i6e+s more than certain mani3
festoes of so%erei*ns" The secretaries of the su+tan
0usta)ha made a +i6e+ of his dec+aration of $ar"
od has )unished them for it4 6ut the same s)irit
$hich animated Caesar( Cicero( and the secretaries
of 0usta)ha( rei*ns in a++ the re)ti+es $ho s)in +i6e+s
in their *arrets" #Natura est sem)er si6i consona#
Who $ou+d 6e+ie%e that the sou+s of arasse(
Nonnotte( Pau+ian( Freron( and he of Lan*+i%iet(
ca++in* himse+f La !eaume++e( $ere in this res)ect
of the same tem)er as those of Caesar( Cicero( St"
C'ri+( and of the secretar' of the *rand sei*niorM
Nothin* is( ho$e%er( more certain"
LI!ERT?"
EIT&ER I am much decei%ed( or Loc5e has %er'
$e++ deJned +i6ert' to 6e #)o$er"# I am sti++ fur3
ther decei%ed( or Co++ins( a ce+e6rated ma*istrate of
London( is the on+' )hi+oso)her $ho has )rofound+'
de%e+o)ed this idea( $hi+e C+ar5e has on+' ans$ered
him as a theo+o*ian" Of a++ that has 6een $ritten in
France on +i6ert'( the fo++o$in* +itt+e dia+o*ue has
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 182/453
a))eared to me the most com)rehensi%e -
A" A 6atter' of cannon is dischar*ed at our
ears 4 ha%e 'ou the +i6ert' to hear it( or not to hear
it( as 'ou )+ease M
!" /ndou6ted+' I cannot hinder m'se+f from
hearin* it"
; Phi+oso)hica+
A" Are 'ou $i++in* that these cannon sha++ ta5e
o 'our head and those of 'our $ife and dau*hter
$ho $a+5 $ith 'ou M
!" What a Huestion : I cannot( at +east $hi+e I
am in m' ri*ht senses( $ish such a thin* 4 it is im3
)ossi6+e"
A" ood4 'ou necessari+' hear these cannon(
and 'ou necessari+' $ish not for the death of 'our3
se+f and 'our fami+' 6' a dischar*e from them"
?ou ha%e neither the )o$er of not hearin* it( nor
the )o$er of $ishin* to remain here"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 183/453
!" That is c+ear"
A" ?ou ha%e( I )ercei%e( ad%anced thirt' )aces
to 6e out of the reach of the cannon 4 'ou ha%e had
the )o$er of $a+5in* these fe$ ste)s $ith me"
!" That is a+so %er' c+ear"
A" And if 'ou had 6een )ara+'tic( 'ou cou+d
not ha%e a%oided 6ein* e7)osed to this 6atter' 4 'ou
$ou+d necessari+' ha%e heard( and recei%ed a $ound
from the cannon 4 and 'ou $ou+d ha%e as necessari+'
died"
!" Nothin* is more true"
A" In $hat then consists 'our +i6ert'( if not in
the )o$er that 'our 6od' has acHuired of )erform3
in* that $hich from a6so+ute necessit' 'our $i++
reHuires M
!" ?ou em6arrass me" Li6ert' then is nothin*
more than the )o$er of doin* $hat I $ishM
A" Reect 4 and see $hether +i6ert' can 6e un3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 184/453
derstood other$ise"
Dictionar'" ; G
!" In this case( m' huntin* do* is as free as
m'se+f 4 he has necessari+' the $i++ to run $hen he
sees a hare 4 and the )o$er of runnin*( if there is
nothin* the matter $ith his +e*s" I ha%e therefore
nothin* a6o%e m' do*4 'ou reduce me to the state
of the 6easts"
A" These are )oor so)hisms( and the' are )oor
so)hists $ho ha%e instructed 'ou" ?ou are un$i++3
in* to 6e free +i5e 'our do*" Do 'ou not eat( s+ee)(
and )ro)a*ate +i5e him( and near+' in the same atti3
tudesM Wou+d 'ou sme++ other$ise than 6' 'our
noseM Wh' $ou+d 'ou )ossess +i6ert' dierent+'
from 'our do* M
!" !ut I ha%e a sou+ $hich reasons( and m'
do* scarce+' reasons at a++" &e has nothin* 6e'ond
sim)+e ideas( $hi+e I ha%e a thousand meta)h'sica+
ideas"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 185/453
A" We++( 'ou are a thousand times more free
than he is 4 'ou ha%e a thousand times more )o$er
of thin5in* than he has 4 6ut sti++ 'ou are not free
in an' other manner than 'our do* is free"
!" What : am I not free to $i++ $hat I +i5eM
A" What do 'ou understand 6' that M
!" I understand $hat a++ the $or+d understands"
Is it not e%er' da' said that the $i++ is freeM
A" An ada*e is not a reason 4 e7)+ain 'ourse+f
6etter"
!" I understand that I am free to $i++ as I
)+ease"
A" With 'our )ermission( that is nonsense 4 see
; Q Phi+oso)hica+
'ou not that it is ridicu+ous to sa' I $i++ $i++M
ConseHuent+'( 'ou necessari+' $i++ the ideas on+'
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 186/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 187/453
and s+ee)in* $ith 'our $ife"
!" &o$ : I cannot $i++ $ithout a moti%e M Then
$hat $i++ 6ecome of the other )ro%er6 #Sit )ro
rationM %o+untas# m' $i++ is m' reason I $i++
6ecause I $i++M
,
A" It is an a6surd one( m' dear friend 4 'ou
$ou+d then ha%e an eect $ithout a cause"
Dictionar'" ;
!" What : $hen I )+a' at odd or e%en( ha%e I
a reason for choosin* e%en rather than oddM
A" /ndou6ted+'"
!" And $hat is the reason( if 'ou )+easeM
A" It is( that the idea of e%en is )resented to
'our mind rather than the o))osite idea" It $ou+d
6e e7traordinar' if there $ere cases in $hich $e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 188/453
$i++ 6ecause there is a moti%e( and others in $hich
$e $i++ $ithout one" When 'ou $ou+d marr'( 'ou
e%ident+' )ercei%e the )redominant reason for it 4
'ou )ercei%e it not $hen 'ou )+a' at odd or e%en( and
'et there must 6e one"
!" Therefore( once more( I am not free"
A" ?our $i++ is not free( 6ut 'our actions are"
?ou are free to act $hen 'ou ha%e the )o$er of
actin*"
!" !ut a++ the 6oo5s that I ha%e read on the
+i6ert' of indierence
A" What do 'ou understand 6' the +i6ert' of in3
dierence M
!" I understand s)ittin* on the ri*ht or the
+eft hand s+ee)in* on the ri*ht or +eft side $a+53
in* u) and do$n four times or J%e"
A" That $ou+d 6e a )+easant +i6ert'( tru+' : od
$ou+d ha%e made 'ou a Jne )resent( much to 6oast
of( certain+': What use to 'ou $ou+d 6e a )o$er
$hich cou+d on+' 6e e7ercised on such futi+e occa3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 189/453
sionsM !ut in truth it is ridicu+ous to su))ose the
$i++ of $i++in* to s)it on the ri*ht or +eft" Not
;> Phi+oso)hica+
on+' is the $i++ of $i++in* a6surd( 6ut it is certain
that se%era+ +itt+e circumstances determine these acts
$hich 'ou ca++ indierent" ?ou are no more free
in these acts than in others" ?et 'ou are free at
a++ times( and in a++ )+aces( $hen 'ou can do $hat
'ou $ish to do"
!" I sus)ect that 'ou are ri*ht" I $i++ thin5
u)on it"
LI!ERT? OF OPINION"
TOWARDS the 'ear ;=( the time at $hich the
En*+ish *ained the 6att+e of Sara*ossa( )rotected
Portu*a+( and for some time *a%e a 5in* to S)ain(
Lord !o+dmind( a *enera+ o8cer $ho had 6een
$ounded( $as at the $aters of !are*es" &e there
met $ith Count 0edroso( $ho ha%in* fa++en from
his horse 6ehind the 6a**a*e( at a +ea*ue and a ha+f
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 190/453
from the Je+d of 6att+e( a+so came to ta5e the $aters"
&e $as a fami+iar of the InHuisition( $hi+e Lord
!o+dmind $as on+' fami+iar in con%ersation" One
da' after their $ine( he he+d this dia+o*ue $ith
0edroso -
!OLD0IND" ?ou are then the ser*eant of the
Dominicans M ?ou e7ercise a %i++ainous trade"
0EDROSO" It is true 4 6ut I $ou+d rather 6e their
ser%ant than their %ictim( and I ha%e )referred the
unha))iness of 6urnin* m' nei*h6or to that)f 6ein*
roasted m'se+f"
!OLD0IND" What a horri6+e a+ternati%e: ?ou
$ere a hundred times ha))ier under the 'o5e of the
Dictionar'" ;
0oors( $ho free+' suered 'ou to a6ide in a++ 'our
su)erstitions( and conHuerors as the' $ere( arro3
*ated not to themse+%es the stran*e ri*ht of sendin*
sou+s to he++"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 191/453
0EDROSO" What $ou+d 'ou ha%e M It is not )er3
mitted us either to $rite( s)ea5( or e%en to thin5"
If $e s)ea5( it is eas' to misinter)ret our $ords(
and sti++ more our $ritin*s 4 and as $e cannot 6e
condemned in an auto3da3fe for our secret thou*hts(
$e are menaced $ith 6ein* 6urned eterna++' 6' the
order of od himse+f( if $e thin5 not +i5e the .aco3
6ins" The' ha%e )ersuaded the *o%ernment that
if $e had common sense the entire state $ou+d 6e in
com6ustion( and the nation 6ecome the most mis3
era6+e u)on earth"
!OLD0IND" Do 'ou 6e+ie%e that $e En*+ish
$ho co%er the seas $ith %esse+s( and $ho *o to *ain
6att+es for 'ou in the south of Euro)e( can 6e so
unha))'M Do 'ou )ercei%e that the Dutch( $ho
ha%e ra%ished from 'ou a+most a++ 'our disco%eries
in India( and $ho at )resent are ran5ed as 'our )ro3
tectors( are cursed of od for ha%in* *i%en entire
+i6ert' to the )ress( and for ma5in* commerce of
the thou*hts of men M &as the Roman Em)ire 6een
+ess )o$erfu+ 6ecause Tu++ius Cicero has $ritten
$ith freedomM
0EDROSO" Who is this Tu++ius CiceroM I ha%e
ne%er heard his name )ronounced at St" &erman3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 192/453
dad"
!OLD0IND" &e $as a 6ache+or of the uni%ersit'
; Phi+oso)hica+
of Rome( $ho $rote that $hich he thou*ht( +i5e
.u+ius Csesar( 0arcus Aure+ius( Titus Lucretius
Carus( P+inius( Seneca( and other sa*es"
0EDROSO" I 5no$ none of them 4 6ut I am to+d
that the Catho+ic re+i*ion( !isca'an and Roman( is
+ost if $e 6e*in to thin5"
!OLD0IND" It is not for 'ou to 6e+ie%e it 4 for
'ou are sure that 'our re+i*ion is di%ine( and that
the *ates of he++ cannot )re%ai+ a*ainst it" If that
is the case( nothin* $i++ e%er destro' it"
0EDROSO" No4 6ut it ma' 6e reduced to %er'
+itt+e 4 and it is throu*h ha%in* thou*ht( that S$e3
den( Denmar5( a++ 'our is+and( and the ha+f of er3
man' *roan under the fri*htfu+ misfortune of not
6ein* su69ects of the )o)e" It is e%en said that(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 193/453
if men continue to fo++o$ their fa+se +i*hts( the' $i++
soon ha%e mere+' the sim)+e adoration of od and
of %irtue" If the *ates of he++ e%er )re%ai+ so far(
$hat $i++ 6ecome of the ho+' o8ce M
!OLD0IND" If the Jrst Christians had not the
+i6ert' of thou*ht( does it not fo++o$ that there
$ou+d ha%e 6een no Christianit' M
0EDROSO" I understand 'ou not"
!OLD0IND" I readi+' 6e+ie%e it" I $ou+d sa'(
that if Ti6erius and the Jrst em)erors had fostered
.aco6ins( the' $ou+d ha%e hindered the Jrst Chris3
tians from ha%in* )ens and in54 and had it not
6een a +on* time )ermitted in the Roman Em)ire
to thin5 free+'( it $ou+d 6e im)ossi6+e for the Chris3
tians to esta6+ish their do*mas" If( therefore( Chris3
Dictionar'" ;<
tianit' $as on+' formed 6' +i6ert' of o)inion( 6'
$hat contradiction( 6' $hat in9ustice( $ou+d 'ou
no$ destro' the +i6ert' on $hich a+one it is founded M
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 194/453
When some aair of interest is )ro)osed to us(
do $e not e7amine it for a +on* time 6efore $e con3
c+ude u)on itM What interest in the $or+d is so
*reat as our eterna+ ha))iness or miser'M There
are a hundred re+i*ions on earth $hich a++ condemn
us if $e 6e+ie%e 'our do*mas( $hich the' ca++ im3
)ious and a6surd 4 $h'( therefore( not e7amine these
do*mas M
0EDROSO" &o$ can I e7amine themM I am
not a .aco6in"
!OLD0IND" ?ou are a man( and that is suf3
Jcient"
0EDROSO" A+as : 'ou are more of a man than
I am"
!OLD0IND" ?ou ha%e on+' to teach 'ourse+f to
thin5 4 'ou are 6orn $ith a mind( 'ou are a 6ird
in the ca*e of the InHuisition( the ho+' o8ce has
c+i))ed 'our $in*s( 6ut the' $i++ *ro$ a*ain" &e
$ho 5no$s not *eometr' can +earn it - a++ men can
instruct themse+%es" Is it not shamefu+ to )ut 'our
sou+ into the hands of those to $hom 'ou $ou+d not
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 195/453
intrust 'our mone'M Dare to thin5 for 'ourse+f"
0EDROSO" It is said that if the $or+d thou*ht
for itse+f( it $ou+d )roduce stran*e confusion"
!OLD0IND" uite the contrar'" When $e as3
sist at a s)ectac+e( e%er' one free+' te++s his o)inion
of it( and the )u6+ic )eace is not there6' distur6ed 4
Vo+" ii <
;G= Phi+oso)hica+
6ut if some inso+ent )rotector of a )oet $ou+d force
a++ )eo)+e of taste to )roc+aim that to 6e *ood $hich
a))ears to them 6ad( 6+o$s $ou+d fo++o$( and the
t$o )arties $ou+d thro$ a))+es of discord at one
another2s heads( as once ha))ened at London" T'3
rants o%er mind ha%e caused a )art of the misfor3
tunes of the $or+d" We are ha))' in En*+and on+'
6ecause e%er' one free+' en9o's the ri*ht of s)ea53
in* his o)inion"
0EDROSO" We are a++ %er' tranHui+ at Lis6on(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 196/453
$here no )erson dares s)ea5 his"
!OLD0IND" ?ou are tranHui+( 6ut 'ou are not
ha))'- it is the tranHui++it' of *a++e'3s+a%es( $ho
ro$ in cadence and in si+ence"
0EDROSO" ?ou 6e+ie%e( then( that m' sou+ is
at the *a++e's M
!OLD0IND" ?es( and I $ou+d de+i%er it"
0EDROSO" !ut if I Jnd m'se+f $e++ at the *a+3
+e'sM
!OLD0IND" Wh'( then( 'ou deser%e to 6e there"
LI!ERT? OF T&E PRESS"
W&AT harm can the )rediction of .ean .acHues
do to Russia M An' M We a++o$ him to e7)+ain it in
a m'stica+( t')ica+( a++e*orica+ sense( accordin* to
custom" The nations $hich $i++ destro' the Rus3
sians $i++ )ossess the 6e++es3+ettres( mat3hematics(
$it( and )o+iteness( $hich de*rade man and )er%ert
nature"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 197/453
From J%e to si7 thousand )am)h+ets ha%e 6een
Dictionar'" ;G;
)rinted in &o++and a*ainst Louis BIV"( nore of
$hich contri6uted to ma5e him +ose the 6att+es of
!+enheim( Turin( and Rami++ies"
In *enera+( $e ha%e as natura+ a ri*ht to ma5e
use of our )ens as our +an*ua*e( at our )eri+( ris5(
and fortune" I 5no$ man' 6oo5s $hich fati*ue(
6ut I 5no$ of none $hich ha%e done rea+ e%i+" The3
o+o*ians( or )retended )o+iticians( cr' - #Re+i*ion is
destro'ed( the *o%ernment is +ost( if 'ou )rint certain
truths or certain )arado7es" Ne%er attem)t to
thin5( ti++ 'ou ha%e demanded )ermission from a
mon5 or an o8cer" It is a*ainst *ood order for a
man to thin5 for himse+f" &omer( P+ato( Cicero(
Vir*i+( P+in'( &orace( ne%er )u6+ished an'thin* 6ut
$ith the a))ro6ation of the doctors of the Sor6onne
and of the ho+' InHuisition"#
#See into $hat horri6+e deca' the +i6ert' of the
)ress 6rou*ht En*+and and &o++and" It is true that
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 198/453
the' )ossess the commerce of the $ho+e $or+d( and
that En*+and is %ictorious on sea and +and4 6ut it
is mere+' a fa+se *reatness( a fa+se o)u+ence- the'
hasten $ith +on* strides to their ruin" An en+i*ht3
ened )eo)+e cannot e7ist"#
None can reason more 9ust+'( m' friends 4 6ut +et
us see( if 'ou )+ease( $hat state has 6een +ost 6' a
6oo5" The most dan*erous( the most )ernicious
of a++( is that of S)ino1a" Not on+' in the character
of a .e$ he attac5s the Ne$ Testament( 6ut in the
character of a scho+ar he ruins the O+d 4 his s'stem
)f atheism is a thousand times 6etter com)osed and
;G Phi+oso)hica+
reasoned than those of Straton and of E)icurus"
We ha%e need of the most )rofound sa*acit' to
ans$er to the ar*uments 6' $hich he endea%ors to
)ro%e that one su6stance cannot form another"
Li5e 'ourse+f( I detest this 6oo5( $hich I )erha)s
understand 6etter than 'ou( and to $hich 'ou ha%e
%er' 6ad+' re)+ied4 6ut ha%e 'ou disco%ered that
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 199/453
this 6oo5 has chan*ed the face of the $or+d M &as
an' )reacher +ost a orin of his income 6' the )u6+i3
cation of the $or5s of S)ino1aM Is there a 6isho)
$hose rents ha%e diminishedM On the contrar'(
their re%enues ha%e dou6+ed since his time - a++ the
i++ is reduced to a sma++ num6er of )eacea6+e read3
ers( $ho ha%e e7amined the ar*uments of S)ino1a(
in their c+osets( and ha%e $ritten for or a*ainst them
$or5s 6ut +itt+e 5no$n"
For 'ourse+%es( it is of +itt+e conseHuence to ha%e
caused to 6e )rinted #ad usum De+)hini(# the athe3
ism of Lucretius as 'ou ha%e a+read' 6een re3
)roached $ith doin* no trou6+e( no scanda+( has
ensued from it - so +ea%e S)ino1a to +i%e in )eace
in &o++and" Lucretius $as +eft in re)ose at Rome"
!ut if there a))ears amon* 'ou an' ne$ 6oo5(
the ideas of $hich shoc5 'our o$n su))osin* 'ou
ha%e an' or of $hich the author ma' 6e of a )art'
contrar' to 'ours or $hat is $orse( of $hich the
author ma' not 6e of an' )art' at a++ then 'ou
cr' out #Fire :# and +et a++ 6e noise( scanda+( and u)3
roar in 'our sma++ corner of the earth" There is an
a6omina6+e man $ho has )rinted that if $e had
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 200/453
Dictionar'"
no hands $e cou+d not ma5e shoes nor stoc5in*s"
De%otees cr' out( furred doctors assem6+e( a+arms
mu+ti)+' from co++e*e to co++e*e( from house to
house( and $h'M For J%e or si7 )a*es( a6out
$hich there no +on*er $i++ 6e a Huestion at the end
of three months" Does a 6oo5 dis)+ease 'ouM re3
fute it" Does it tire 'ou M read it not"
Oh : sa' 'ou to me( the 6oo5s of Luther and Ca+3
%in ha%e destro'ed the Roman Catho+ic re+i*ion in
one3ha+f of Euro)eM Wh' sa' not a+so( that the
6oo5s of the )atriarch Photius ha%e destro'ed this
Roman re+i*ion in Asia( Africa( reece( and Russia M
?ou decei%e 'ourse+f %er' *ross+'( $hen 'ou
tiiin5 that 'ou ha%e 6een ruined 6' 6oo5s" The em3
)ire of Russia is t$o thousand +ea*ues in e7tent(
and there are not si7 men $ho are a$are of the
)oints dis)uted 6' the ree5 and Latin Church"
If the mon5 Luther( .ohn Ca+%in( and the %icar
@uin*+ius had 6een content $ith $ritin*( Rome
$ou+d 'et su69u*ate a++ the states that it has +ost 4
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 201/453
6ut these )eo)+e and their adherents ran from to$n
to to$n( from house to house( e7citin* the $omen(
and $ere maintained 6' )rinces" Fur'( $hich tor3
mented Amata( and $hich( accordin* to Vir*i+(
$hi))ed her +i5e a to)( $as not more tur6u+ent"
Kno$( that one enthusiastic( factious( i*norant( su)3
)+e( %ehement Ca)uchin( the emissar' of some am3
6itious mon5s( )reachin*( confessin*( communica3
tin*( and ca6a++in*( $i++ much sooner o%erthro$ a
)ro%ince than a hundred authors can en+i*hten it"
;GQ Phi+oso)hica+
It $as not the Koran $hich caused 0ahomet to suc3
ceed- it $as 0ahomet $ho caused the success of
the Koran"
No: Rome has not 6een %anHuished 6' 6oo5s4
it has 6een so 6' ha%in* caused Euro)e to re%o+t
at its ra)acit' 4 6' the )u6+ic sa+e of indu+*ences 4
for ha%in* insu+ted men( and $ishin* to *o%ern them
+i5e domestic anima+s 4 for ha%in* a6used its )o$er
to such an e7tent that it is astonishin* a sin*+e %i+3
+a*e remains to it" &enr' VIII"( E+i1a6eth( the du5e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 202/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 203/453
Dictionar'" ;G
We ma'( ho$e%er( +i%e $ithout actua+ sensation 4
for $e fee+ nothin* in a com)+ete a)o)+e7'( in a
+ethar*'( or in a sound s+ee) $ithout dreams 4 6ut
'et )ossess the ca)acit' of sensation" 0an' )ersons(
it is too $e++ 5no$n( ha%e 6een 6uried a+i%e( +i5e
Roman %esta+s( and it is $hat ha))ens after e%er'
6att+e( es)ecia++' in co+d countries" A so+dier +ies
$ithout motion( and 6reath+ess( $ho( if he $ere du+'
assisted( mi*ht reco%er4 6ut to sett+e the matter
s)eedi+'( the' 6ur' him"
What is this ca)acit' of sensationM Former+'(
+ife and sou+ meant the same thin*( and the one $as
no 6etter understood than the other4 at 6ottom( is
it more understood at )resent M
In the sacred 6oo5s of the .e$s( sou+ is a+$a's
used for +ife"
#Di7it etiam Deus( )roducant a*ues re)ti+e ani3
mce %i%entis"# And od said( +et the $aters 6rin*
forth a6undant+' the mo%in* creature $hich hath
a +i%in* sou+"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 204/453
#Crea%it Deus cete *randia( et omnem animam
%i%entem( atHue mota6i+em Huam )ro du7 er ant
aHua"# And od created *reat dra*ons tanni3
tiim( and e%er' +i%in* sou+ that mo%eth( $hich the
$aters 6rou*ht forth" It is di8cu+t to e7)+ain the
creation of these $ater' dra*ons( 6ut such is the
te7t( and it is for us to su6mit to it"
#Producat terra animam %i%entem in *enere suo(
9umenta et re)ti+ia"# Let the earth )roduce the
+i%in* sou+ after its 5ind( catt+e and cree)in* thin*s"
;G> Phi+oso)hica+
#Et in Hui6us est anima %i%ens( ad %esccndum#
And to e%er'thin* $herein there is a +i%in* sou+
e%er' *reen her6U( for meat"
#Et ins)ira%it in faciem e9us s)iracu+um %ita-( et
factus est homo in animam %i%entem"# And
6reathed into his nostri+s the 6reath of +ife( and man
6ecame a +i%in* sou+"
#San*uinem enim animarum %estrarum reHui3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 205/453
ram de manu cunctar$n 6etiarum( et de manu horn3
inis(# etc" I sha++ reHuire 6ac5 'our sou+s from the
hands of man and 6east"
Sou+s here e%ident+' si*nif' +i%es" The sacred
te7t certain+' did not mean that 6easts had s$a+3
+o$ed the sou+s of men( 6ut their 6+ood( $hich is
their +ife 4 and as to the hands *i%en 6' this te7t
to 6easts( it si*niJes their c+a$s"
In short( more than t$o hundred )assa*es ma'
6e Huoted in $hich the sou+ is used for the +ife( 6oth
of 6easts and man 4 6ut not one $hich e7)+ains
either +ife or sou+"
If +ife 6e the facu+t' of sensation( $hence this
facu+t'M In re)+' to this Huestion( a++ the +earned
Huote s'stems( and these s'stems are destructi%e of
one another" !ut $h' the an7iet' to ascertain the
source of sensation M It is as di8cu+t to concei%e the
)o$er $hich 6inds a++ thin*s to a common centre
as to concei%e the cause of anima+ sensat9on" The
direction of the need+e to$ards the )o+e( the )aths
of comets( and a thousand other )henomena are
eHua++' incom)rehensi6+e"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 206/453
Dictionar'" ;G
Pro)erties of matter e7ist( the )rinci)+e of $hich
$i++ ne%er 6e 5no$n to us 4 and that of sensation(
$ithout $hich there cannot 6e +ife( is amon* the
num6er"
Is it )ossi6+e to +i%e $ithout e7)eriencin* sensa3
tion M No" An infant $hich dies in a +ethar*' that
has +asted from its 6irth has e7isted( 6ut not +i%ed"
Let us ima*ine an idiot una6+e to form com)+e7
ideas( 6ut $ho )ossesses sensation 4 he certain+' +i%es
$ithout thin5in*( formin* sim)+e ideas from his
sensations" Thou*ht( therefore( is not necessar' to
+ife( since this idiot has +i%ed $ithout thin5in*"
&ence( certain thin5ers thin5 that thou*ht is not
of the essence of man" The' maintain that man'
idiots $ho thin5 not( are men 4 and so decided+'
men as to )roduce other men( $ithout the )o$er of
constructin* a sin*+e ar*ument"
The doctors $ho maintain the essentia+it' of
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 207/453
thou*ht( re)+' that these idiots ha%e certain ideas
from their sensation" !o+d reasoners re9oin( that
a $e++3tau*ht mind )ossesses more consecuti%e ideas(
and is %er' su)erior to these idiots( $hence has
s)run* a *rand dis)ute u)on the sou+( of $hich $e
sha++ s)ea5 )ossi6+' at too *reat a +en*th in the
artic+e on #Sou+"#
LOVE"
T&ERE are so man' 5inds of +o%e( that in order
to deJne it( $e scarce+' 5no$ $hich to direct our
attention to" Some 6o+d+' a))+' the name of #+o%e#
;G Phi+oso)hica+
to a ca)rice of a fe$ da's( a connection $ithout at3
tachment( )assion $ithout aection( the aecta3
tions of cicis6eism( a co+d usa*e( a romantic fanc'(
a taste s)eedi+' fo++o$ed 6' a distaste" The' a))+'
the name to a thousand chimeras"
Shou+d an' )hi+oso)hers 6e inc+ined )rofound+'
to in%esti*ate a su69ect in itse+f so +itt+e )hi+oso)h3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 208/453
ica+( the' ma' recur to the 6anHuet of P+ato( in $hich
Socrates( the decent and honora6+e +o%er of A+ci3
6iades and A*athon( con%erses $ith them on the
meta)h'sics of +o%e"
Lucretius s)ea5s of it more as a natura+ )hi+os3
o)her 4 and Vir*i+ fo++o$s the e7am)+e of Lucretius"
22Amor omni6us idem"#
It is the em6roider' of ima*ination on the stu
of nature" If 'ou $ish to form an idea of +o%e( +oo5
at the s)arro$s in 'our *arden 4 6eho+d 'our do%es 4
contem)+ate the 6u++ $hen introduced to the heifer 4
+oo5 at that )o$erfu+ and s)irited horse $hich t$o
of 'our *rooms are conductin* to the mare that
Huiet+' a$aits him( and is e%ident+' )+eased at his
a))roach 4 o6ser%e the ashin* of his e'es( notice
the stren*th and +oudness of his nei*hin*s( the
6oundin*s( the cur%etin*s( the ears erect( the mouth
o)enin* $ith con%u+si%e *as)in*s( the distended nos3
tri+s( the 6reath of Jre( the raised and $a%in* mane(
and the im)etuous mo%ement $ith $hich he rushes
to$ards the o69ect $hich nature has destined for
him 4 do not( ho$e%er( 6e 9ea+ous of his ha))iness 4
6ut reect on the ad%anta*es of the human s)ecies 4
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 209/453
Dictionar'" ;G<
the' aord am)+e com)ensation in +o%e for a++ those
$hich nature has conferred on mere anima+s
stren*th( 6eaut'( +i*htness( and ra)idit'"
There are some c+asses( ho$e%er( e%en of ani3
ma+s tota++' unacHuainted $ith se7ua+ association"
Fishes are destitute of this en9o'ment" The fema+e
de)osits her mi++ions of e**s on the s+ime of the
$aters( and the ma+e that meets them )asses o%er
them and communicates the %ita+ )rinci)+e( ne%er
consortin* $ith( or )erha)s e%en )ercei%in* the fe3
ma+e to $hom the' 6e+on*"
The *reater )art of those anima+s $hich co)u+ate
are sensi6+e of the en9o'ment on+' 6' a sin*+e sense 4
and $hen a))etite is satisJed( the $ho+e is o%er"
No anima+( 6esides man( is acHuainted $ith em3
6races 4 his $ho+e frame is susce)ti6+e 4 his +i)s )ar3
ticu+ar+' e7)erience a de+i*ht $hich ne%er $earies(
and $hich is e7c+usi%e+' the )ortion of his s)ecies 4
Jna++'( he can surrender himse+f at a++ seasons to
the endearments of +o%e( $hi+e mere anima+s )ossess
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 210/453
on+' +imited )eriods" If 'ou reect on these hi*h
)re3eminences( 'ou $i++ readi+' 9oin in the ear+ of
Rochester2s remar5( that +o%e $ou+d im)e+ a $ho+e
nation of atheists to $orshi) the di%init'"
As men ha%e 6een endo$ed $ith the ta+ent of
)erfectin* $hate%er nature has 6esto$ed u)on them(
the' ha%e accordin*+' )erfected the *ift of +o%e"
C+ean+iness( )ersona+ attention( and re*ard to hea+th
render the frame more sensiti%e( and conseHuent+'
increase its ca)acit' of *ratiJcation" A++ the other
;Q= Phi+oso)hica+
amia6+e and %a+ua6+e sentiments enter after$ards
into that of +o%e( +i5e the meta+s $hich ama+*amate
$ith *o+d4 friendshi) and esteem readi+' ' to its
su))ort 4 and ta+ents 6oth of 6od' and of mind are
ne$ and stren*thenin* 6onds"
Namfacit i)sa suis inter dum femina factis(
0ori*erisHue modis( et mundo cor)ore cu+tu
/t faci+e insuescat secum %ir de*ere %itam"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 211/453
L/CRETI/S( i%( ;"
Se+f3+o%e( a6o%e a++( dra$s c+oser a++ these %arious
ties" 0en )ride themse+%es in the choice the' ha%e
made4 and the num6er+ess i++usions that cro$d
around constitute the ornament of the $or5( of
$hich the foundation is so Jrm+' +aid 6' nature"
Such are the ad%anta*es )ossessed 6' man a6o%e
the %arious tri6es of anima+s" !ut( if he en9o's de3
+i*hts of $hich the' are i*norant( ho$ man' %e7a3
tions and dis*usts( on the other hand( is he e7)osed
to( from $hich the' are free : The most dreadfu+
of these is occasioned 6' nature2s ha%in* )oisoned
the )+easures of +o%e and sources of +ife o%er three3
Huarters of the $or+d 6' a terri6+e disease( to $hich
man a+one is su69ect4 nor is it $ith this )esti+ence
as $ith %arious other ma+adies( $hich are the nat3
ura+ conseHuences of e7cess" It $as not introduced
into the $or+d 6' de6aucher'" The Phr'nes and
Laises( the F+oras and 0essa+inas( $ere ne%er at3
tac5ed 6' it" It ori*inated in is+ands $here "man5ind
d$e+t to*ether in innocence( and has thence 6een
s)read throu*hout the O+d Wor+d"
If nature cou+d in an' instance 6e accused of
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 212/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 213/453
o++ectionM is it friendshi)M It is a somethin* com3
)ounded of a++ these" It is a confused fee+in*( re3
sem6+in* the fantastic )assions $hich the dead re3
tained in the E+'sian Fie+ds" The heroes $ho $hi+e
+i%in* had shone in the chariot races( *uided ima*3
inar' chariots after death- &e+oise +i%ed $ith 'ou
on i++usions and su))+ements" She sometimes ca3
ressed 'ou( and $ith so much the more )+easure as(
after %o$in* at Parac+et that she $ou+d +o%e 'ou no
more( her caresses $ere 6ecome more )recious to
her in )ro)ortion as the' had 6ecome more cu+)a6+e"
;Q Phi+oso)hica+
A $oman can ne%er form a )assion for a eunuch(
6ut she ma' retain her )assion for her +o%er after
his 6ecomin* one( if he sti++ remains amia6+e"
The case is dierent $ith res)ect to a +o%er *ro$n
o+d in the ser%ice4 the e7terna+ a))earance is no
+on*er the same 4 $rin5+es ari*ht( *ri11+' e'e6ro$s
re)e+( deca'in* teeth dis*ust( inJrmities dri%e
a$a' 4 a++ that can 6e done or e7)ected is to ha%e the
%irtue of 6ein* a )atient and 5ind nurse( and 6ear3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 214/453
in* $ith the man that $as once 6e+o%ed( a++ $hich
amounts to 6ur'in* the dead"
LOVE OF OD"
T&E dis)utes that ha%e occurred a6out the +o%e
of od ha%e 5ind+ed as much hatred as an' theo+o*3
ica+ Huarre+" The .esuits and .ansenists ha%e 6een
contendin* for a hundred 'ears as to $hich )art'
+o%ed od in the most suita6+e and a))ro)riate man3
ner( and $hich shou+d at the same time most com3
)+ete+' harass and torment their nei*h6or"
When the author of #Te+emachus(# $ho $as in
hi*h re)utation at the court of Louis BIV"( recom3
mended men to +o%e od in a manner $hich did not
ha))en to coincide $ith that of the author of the
#Funera+ Orations(# the +atter( $ho $as a com)+ete
master of the $ea)ons of contro%ers'( dec+ared o)en
$ar a*ainst him( and )rocured his condemnation
in the ancient cit' of Romu+us( $here od $as the
%er' o69ect most +o%ed( after domination( ease( +u73
ur'( )+easure( and mone'"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 215/453
Dictionar'" ;QG
If 0adame u'on had 6een acHuainted $ith the
stor' of the *ood o+d $oman( $ho 6rou*ht a chaJn*3
dish to 6urn )aradise( and a )itcher of $ater to e73
tin*uish he++( that od mi*ht 6e +o%ed for &imse+f
a+one( she $ou+d not )erha)s ha%e $ritten so much
as she did" She must ine%ita6+' ha%e fe+t that she
cou+d herse+f ne%er sa' an'thin* 6etter than that4
6ut she +o%ed od and nonsense so sincere+' that
she $as im)risoned for four months( on account of
her aectionate attachment 4 treatment decided+'
ri*orous and un9ust" Wh' )unish as a crimina+ a
$oman $hose on+' oence $as com)osin* %erse in
the st'+e of the A66e Cotin( and )rose in the taste
of the )o)u+ar fa%orite Punchine++oM It is stran*e
that the author of #Te+emachus# and the fri*id
+o%es of Eucharis shou+d ha%e said in his #0a7ims
of Saints(# after the 6+essed Francis de Sa+es - #I
ha%e scarce+' an' desires 4 6ut( $ere I to 6e 6orn
a*ain( I shou+d not ha%e an' at a++" If od came to
me( I $ou+d a+so *o to &im 4 if it $ere not &is
$i++ to come to me( I $ou+d sta' $here I $as( and
not *o to &im"#
&is $ho+e $or5 turns u)on this )ro)osition"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 216/453
Francis de Sa+es $as not condemned( 6ut Fene+on
$as" Wh' shou+d that ha%e 6een M the reason is(
that Francis de Sa+es had not a 6itter enem' at
the court of Turin( and that Fene+on had one at
Versai++es"
The most sensi6+e thin* that $as $ritten u)on
this m'stica+ contro%ers' is to 6e found )erha)s in
;QQ Phi+oso)hica+
!oi+eau2s satire( #On the Lo%e of od(# a+thou*h
that is certain+' 6' no means his 6est $or5"
uifait e7actement ce Hue( ma +oi commande(
A )our mot( dit ce Dieu( I2 amour Hue9e demande"
EP" 7ii" <<"
Attend e7act+' to m' +a$2s command(
Such( sa's this od( the $orshi) I demand"
If $e must )ass from the thorns of theo+o*' to
those of )hi+oso)h'( $hich are not so +on* and are
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 217/453
+ess )iercin*( it seems c+ear that an o69ect ma' 6e
+o%ed 6' an' one $ithout an' reference to se+f( $ith3
out an' mi7ture of interested se+f3+o%e" We cannot
com)are di%ine thin*s to earth+' ones( or the +o%e
of od to an' other +o%e" We ha%e an inJnit' of
ste)s to mount a6o%e our *ro%e++in* human inc+i3
nations 6efore $e can reach that su6+ime +o%e"
Since( ho$e%er( $e ha%e nothin* to rest u)on e73
ce)t the earth( +et us dra$ our com)arisons from
that" We %ie$ some master)iece of art( in )aintin*(
scu+)ture( architecture( )oetr'( or e+oHuence 4 $e hear
a )iece of music that a6so+ute+' enchants our ears
and sou+s 4 $e admire it( $e +o%e it( $ithout an'
return of the s+i*htest ad%anta*e to ourse+%es from
this attachment4 it is a )ure and reJned fee+in*4
$e )roceed sometimes so far as to entertain %en3
eration or friendshi) for the author4 and $ere he
)resent shou+d cordia++' em6race him"
This is a+most the on+' $a' in $hich $ can e73
)+ain our )rofound admiration and the im)u+ses of
our heart to$ards the eterna+ architect of the $or+d"
We sur%e' the $or5 $ith an astonishment made u)
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 218/453
Dictionar'" ;Q
of res)ect and a sense of our o$n nothin*ness( and
our heart $arms and rises as much as )ossi6+e to3
$ards the di%ine artiJcer"
!ut $hat is this fee+in* M A somethin* %a*ue and
indeterminate an im)ression that has no connection
$ith our ordinar' aections" A sou+ more susce)t3
i6+e than another( more $ithdra$n from $or+d+'
6usiness and cares( ma' 6e so aected 6' the s)ec3
tac+e of nature as to fee+ the most ardent as $e++ as
)ious as)irations to$ards the eterna+ Lord $ho
formed it" Cou+d such an amia6+e aection of the
mind( cou+d so )o$erfu+ a charm( so stron* an e%i3
dence 3of fee+in*( incur censure M Was it )ossi6+e
in rea+it' to condemn the aectionate and *ratefu+
dis)osition of the arch6isho) of Cam6ra'M Not3
$ithstandin* the e7)ressions of St" Francis de Sa+es(
a6o%e *i%en( he adhered steadi+' to this assertion(
that the author ma' 6e +o%ed mere+' and sim)+' for
the 6eaut' of his $or5s" With $hat heres' cou+d
he 6e re)roached M The e7tra%a*ances of st'+e of a
+ad' of 0ontar*is( and a fe$ un*uarded e7)ressions
of his o$n( $ere not a +itt+e in9urious to him"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 219/453
Where $as the harm that he had doneM Noth3
in* at )resent is 5no$n a6out the matter" This dis3
)ute( +i5e num6er+ess others( is com)+ete+' annihi3
+ated" Were e%er' do*matist to sa' to himse+f - #A
fe$ 'ears hence no one $i++ care a stra$ for m'
do*mas(# there $ou+d 6e far +ess do*mati1in* in the
$or+d than there is : Ah : Louis the Fourteenth :
Louis the Fourteenth : $hen t$o men of *enius had
Vo+" ii ;=
;Q> Phi+oso)hica+
de)arted so far from the natura+ sco)e and direction
of their ta+ents( as to $rite the most o6scure and tire3
some $or5s e%er $ritten in 'our dominions( ho$
much 6etter $ou+d it ha%e 6een to ha%e +eft them to
their o$n $ran*+in*s :
PourJnir tous ces d6ats3+a(
Tu n a%ais Hu2 a +es +aisser faire "
To end de6ates in such a tone
2T$as 6ut to +ea%e the men a+one"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 220/453
It is o6ser%a6+e under a++ the artic+es of mora+it'
and histor'( 6' $hat an in%isi6+e chain( 6' $hat un3
5no$n s)rin*s( a++ the ideas that distur6 our minds
and a++ the e%ents that )oison our da's are 6ound to3
*ether and 6rou*ht to co3o)erate in the formation
of our destinies" Fene+on dies in e7i+e in conse3
Huence of ho+din* t$o or three m'stica+ con%ersa3
tions $ith a )ious 6ut fancifu+ $oman" Cardina+
!oui++on( ne)he$ of the *reat Turenne( is )ersecuted
in conseHuence of not himse+f )ersecutin* at Rome
the arch6isho) of Cam6ra'( his friend- he is com3
)e++ed to Huit France( and he a+so +oses his $ho+e
fortune"
!' a +i5e chain of causes and eects( the son of a
so+icitor at Vire detects( in a do1en of o6scure
)hrases of a 6oo5 )rinted at Amsterdam( $hat is
su8cient to J++ a++ the dun*eons of France $it& %ic3
tims 4 and at +en*th( from the de)th of those dun3
*eons arises a cr' for redress and %en*eance( the
echo of $hich +a's )rostrate on the earth an a6+e
and t'rannica+ societ' $hich had 6een esta6+ished
6' an i*norant madman"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 221/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 222/453
that this %ice $as recommended 6' the +a$s of Per3
sia" Let them cite the te7t of such a +a$ 4 +et them
e7hi6it the code of the Persians4 and if such an
a6omination 6e e%en found there( sti++ I $ou+d dis3
6e+ie%e it( and maintain that the thin* $as not true(
6ecause it is im)ossi6+e" No 4 it is not in human na3
ture to ma5e a +a$ $hich contradicts and outra*es
nature itse+f a +a$ $hich $ou+d annihi+ate man3
5ind( if it $ere +itera++' o6ser%ed" 0oreo%er( I $i++
;Q Phi+oso)hica+
sho$ 'ou the ancient +a$ of the Persians as *i%en in
the #Sadder"# It sa's( in artic+e or *ate <( that
the *reatest sin must not 6e committed" It is in %ain
that a modern $riter see5s to 9ustif' Se7tus Em)ir3
icus and )ederast'" The +a$s of @oroaster( $ith
$hich he is unacHuainted( incontro%erti6+' )ro%e
that this %ice $as ne%er recommended to the Per3
sians" It mi*ht as $e++ 6e said that it is recom3
mended to the Tur5s" The' 6o+d+' )ractise it( 6ut
their +a$s condemn it"
&o$ man' )ersons ha%e mista5en shamefu+ )rac3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 223/453
tices( $hich are on+' to+erated in a countr'( for its
+a$s" Se7tus Em)iricus( $ho dou6ted e%er'thin*(
shou+d ha%e dou6ted this )iece of 9uris)rudence" If
he had +i%ed in our da's( and $itnessed the )ro3
ceedin*s of t$o or three 'oun* .esuits $ith their
)u)i+s( $ou+d he ha%e 6een 9ustiJed in the assertion
that such )ractices $ere )ermitted 6' the institutes
of I*natius Lo'o+aM
It $i++ 6e )ermitted to me here to a++ude to the
Socratic +o%e of the re%erend father Po+'car)( a
Carme+ite( $ho $as dri%en a$a' from the sma++
to$n of e7 in ;;( in $hich )+ace he tau*ht re3
+i*ion and Latin to a6out a do1en scho+ars" &e $as
at once their confessor( tutor( and somethin* more"
Fe$ ha%e had more occu)ations( s)iritua+ and tem3
)ora+" A++ $as disco%ered4 and he retired into
S$it1er+and( a countr' %er' distant from reece"
The mon5s char*ed $ith the education of 'outh
ha%e a+$a's e7hi6ited a +itt+e of this tendenc'(
Dictionar'" ;Q<
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 224/453
$hich is a necessar' conseHuence of the ce+i6ac' to
$hich the )oor men are condemned"
This %ice $as so common at Rome that it $as im3
)ossi6+e to )unish a crime $hich a+most e%er' one
committed" Octa%ius Au*ustus( that murderer( de3
6auchee( and co$ard( $ho e7i+ed O%id( thou*ht it
ri*ht in Vir*i+ to sin* the charms of A+e7is" &orace(
his other )oetica+ fa%orite( constructed sma++ odes on
Li*urinus 4 and this same &orace( $ho )raised Au3
*ustus for reformin* manners( s)ea5 in his satires
in much the same $a' of 6oth 6o's and *ir+s" ?et
the ancient +a$ #Scantinia(# $hich for6ade )eder3
ast'( a+$a's e7isted( and $as )ut in force 6' the em3
)eror Phi+i)( $ho dro%e a$a' from Rome the 6o's
$ho made a )rofession of it" If( ho$e%er( Rome
had $itt' and +icentious students( +i5e Petronius( it
had a+so such )rece)tors as uinti+ian 4 and attend
to the )recautions he +a's do$n in his cha)ter of
#The Prece)tor(# in order to )reser%e the )urit' of
ear+' 'outh" #Ca%endum non so+um crimine tur)i3
tudinis( sed etiam sus)icione"# We must not on+'
6e$are of a shamefu+ crime 6ut e%en of the sus)icion
of it" To conc+ude( I Jrm+' 6e+ie%e that no ci%i+i1ed
nation e%er e7isted $hich made forma+ +a$s a*ainst
mora+s"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 225/453
O6ser%ations 6' Another &and"
We ma' 6e )ermitted to ma5e a fe$ additiona+
reections on an odious and dis*ustin* su69ect(
$hich ho$e%er( unfortunate+'( forms a )art of the
histor' of o)inions and manners"
; = Phi+oso)hica+
This oence ma' 6e traced to the remotest )e3
riods of ci%i+i1ation" ree5 and Roman histor' in
)articu+ar a++o$s us not to dou6t it" It $as common
6efore )eo)+e formed re*u+ar societies( and $ere
*o%erned 6' $ritten +a$s"
The +atter fact is the reason that the +a$s ha%e
treated it $ith so much indu+*ence" Se%ere +a$s
cannot 6e )ro)osed to a free )eo)+e a*ainst a %ice(
$hate%er it ma' 6e( $hich is common and ha6itua+"
For a +on* time man' of the erman nations had
$ritten +a$s $hich admitted of com)osition and
murder" So+on contented himse+f $ith for6iddin*
these odious )ractices 6et$een the citi1ens and
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 226/453
s+a%es" The Athenians mi*ht )ercei%e the )o+ic' of
this interdiction( and su6mit to it4 es)ecia++' as it
o)erated a*ainst the s+a%es on+'( and $as enacted
to )re%ent them from corru)tin* the 'oun* free men"
Fathers of fami+ies( ho$e%er +a7 their mora+s( had
no moti%e to o))ose it"
The se%erit' of the manners of $omen in reece(
the use of )u6+ic 6aths( and the )assion for *ames in
$hich men a))eared a+to*ether na5ed( fostered this
tur)itude( not$ithstandin* the )ro*ress of societ'
and mora+s" L'cur*us( 6' a++o$in* more +i6ert' to
the $omen( and 6' certain other institutions( suc3
ceeded in renderin* this %ice +ess common in S)arta
than in the other to$ns of reece"
When the manners of a )eo)+e 6ecome +es#s rustic(
as the' im)ro%e in arts( +u7ur'( and riches( if the'
retain their former %ices( the' at +east endea%or to
Dictionar'" ;;
%ei+ them" Christian mora+it'( 6' attachin* shame
to connections 6et$een unmarried )eo)+e( 6' render3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 227/453
in* marria*e indisso+u6+e( and )roscri6in* concu3
6ina*e 6' ecc+esiastica+ censures( has rendered adu+3
ter' common" E%er' sort of %o+u)tuousness ha%in*
6een eHua++' made sinfu+( that s)ecies is natura++'
)referred $hich is necessari+' the most secret4 and
thus( 6' a sin*u+ar contradiction( a6so+ute crimes
are often made more freHuent( more to+erated( and
+ess shamefu+ in )u6+ic o)inion( than sim)+e $ea53
nesses" When the $estern nations 6e*an a course
of reJnement( the' sou*ht to concea+ adu+ter' under
the %ei+ of $hat is ca++ed *a++antr'" Then men +oud+'
a%o$ed a )assion in $hich it $as )resumed the
$omen did not share" The +o%ers dared demand
nothin*4 and it $as on+' after more than ten 'ears
of )ure +o%e( of com6ats and %ictories at tournaments
that a ca%a+ier mi*ht ho)e to disco%er a moment of
$ea5ness in the o69ect of his adoration" There re3
mains a su8cient num6er of records of these times
to con%ince us that the state of manners fostered this
s)ecies of h')ocris'" It $as simi+ar amon* the
ree5s( $hen the' had 6ecome )o+ished" Connec3
tions 6et$een ma+es $ere not shamefu+ 4 'oun* )eo3
)+e united themse+%es to each other 6' oaths( 6ut it
$as to +i%e and die for their countr'" It $as usua+
for a )erson of ri)e a*e to attach himse+f to a 'oun*
man in a state of ado+escence( ostensi6+' to form( in3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 228/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 229/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 230/453
the' had com6ated- #I $i++ ne%er 6e+ie%e(# he e73
c+aimed( #that such 6ra%e men ha%e committed or
suered an'thin* shamefu+"# This e7)ression from
a man himse+f soi+ed $ith this infam' furnishes an
indis)uta6+e )roof of the *enera+ o)inion of reece"
At Rome( this o)inion $as sti++ stron*er" 0an'
ree5 heroes( re*arded as %irtuous men( ha%e 6een
su))osed addicted to the %ice4 6ut amon* the Ro3
mans it $as ne%er attri6uted to an' of those char3
acters in $hom *reat %irtue $as ac5no$+ed*ed" It
on+' seems( that $ith these t$o nations no idea of
crime or e%en dishonor $as attached to it un+ess car3
ried to e7cess( $hich renders e%en a )assion for
$omen dis*racefu+" Pederast' is rare amon* us(
and $ou+d 6e un5no$n( 6ut for the defects of )u6+ic
education"
0ontesHuieu )retends that it )re%ai+s in certain
0ahometan nations( in conseHuence of the faci+it' of
)ossessin* $omen" In our o)inion( for #faci+it'#
$e shou+d read #di8cu+t'"#
; Q Phi+oso)hica+
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 231/453
L/B/R?"
SECTION I"
IN A countr' $here a++ the inha6itants $ent 6are3
footed( cou+d +u7ur' 6e im)uted to the Jrst man
$ho made a )air of shoes for himse+fM Or rather(
$as he not a man of sense and industr' M
Is it not 9ust the same $ith him $ho )rocured the
Jrst shirtM With res)ect to the man $ho had it
$ashed and ironed( I consider him as an a6so+ute
*enius( a6undant in resources( and Hua+iJed to *o%3
ern a state" Those ho$e%er $ho $ere not used to
$ear c+ean shirts( considered him as a rich( eemi3
nate co7com6 $ho $as +i5e+' to corru)t the nation"
#!e$are of +u7ur'(# said Cato to the Romans4
#'ou ha%e conHuered the )ro%ince of Phasis( 6ut
ne%er eat an' )heasants" ?ou ha%e su69u*ated the
countr' in $hich cotton *ro$s 4 sti++ ho$e%er con3
tinue to s+ee) on the 6are *round" ?ou ha%e )+un3
dered the *o+d( and si+%er( and 9e$e+s of innumera6+e
nations( 6ut ne%er 6ecome such foo+s as to use them"
After ta5in* e%er'thin*( remain destitute of e%er'3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 232/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 233/453
for5s M Is it not shamefu+ for a sensi6+e Dutchman
to s+ee) in a 6ed of damas5 M#
#o to !ata%ia(# re)+ied the Amsterdammer 4
#*ain( as I ha%e done( ten tons of *o+d4 and then
see if 'ou ha%e not some inc+ination to 6e $e++
c+othed( $e++ fed( and $e++ +od*ed"#
Since this con%ersation( t$ent' %o+umes ha%e
6een $ritten a6out +u7ur'( and these 6oo5s ha%e
neither increased nor diminished it"
SECTION II"
Lu7ur' has 6een dec+aimed a*ainst for the s)ace
of t$o thousand 'ears( 6oth in %erse and )rose 4 and
'et it has 6een a+$a's +i5ed"
What has not 6een said of the Romans M When(
in the ear+ier )eriods of their histor'( these 6anditti
ra%a*ed and carried o their nei*h6or2s har%ests 4
$hen( in order to au*ment their o$n $retched %i+3
+a*e( the' destro'ed the )oor %i++a*es of the Vo+sci
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 234/453
;> Phi+oso)hica+
and Samnites( the' $ere( $e are to+d( men disin3
terested and %irtuous" The' cou+d not as 'et( 6e it
remem6ered( carr' a$a' *o+d( and si+%er( and 9e$e+s(
6ecause the to$ns $hich the' sac5ed and )+undered
had none 4 nor did their $oods and s$am)s )roduce
)artrid*es or )heasants4 'et )eo)+e( forsooth( e73
to+ their tem)erance :
When( 6' a succession of %io+ences( the' had
)i++a*ed and ro66ed e%er' countr' from the recesses
of the Adriatic to the Eu)hrates( and had sense
enou*h to en9o' the fruit of their ra)ine 4 $hen the'
cu+ti%ated the arts( and tasted a++ the )+easures of
+ife( and communicated them a+so to the nations
$hich the' conHuered4 then( $e are to+d( the'
ceased to 6e $ise and *ood"
A++ such dec+amations tend 9ust to )ro%e this
that a ro66er ou*ht not to eat the dinner he has
ta5en( nor $ear the ha6it he has sto+en( nor orna3
ment his Jn*er $ith the rin* he has )+undered from
another" A++ this( it is said( shou+d 6e thro$n into
the ri%er( in order to +i%e +i5e *ood )eo)+e 4 6ut ho$
much 6etter $ou+d it 6e to sa'( ne%er ro6 it is
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 235/453
'our dut' not to ro6 M Condemn the 6ri*ands $hen
the' )+under 4 6ut do not treat them as foo+s or mad3
men for en9o'in* their )+under" After a num6er
of En*+ish sai+ors ha%e o6tained their )ri1e mone'
for the ca)ture of Pondicherr'( or &a%anacan the'
toe 6+amed for )urchasin* a +itt+e )+easure In Lon3
don( in return for the +a6or and )ain the' ha%e suf3
fered in the uncon*enia+ c+imes of Asia or America M
Dictionar'" ;
The dec+aimers $e ha%e mentioned $ou+d $ish
men to 6ur' the riches that mi*ht 6e accumu+ated
6' the fortune of $ar( or 6' a*ricu+ture( commerce(
and industr' in *enera+" The' cite Lacedaemon4
$h' do the' not a+so cite the re)u6+ic of San 0a3
rino M What 6eneJt did S)arta do to reece M &ad
she e%er a Demosthenes( a So)hoc+es( an A)e++es( or
a PhidiasM The +u7ur' of Athens formed *reat
men of e%er' descri)tion" S)arta had certain+'
some *reat ca)tains( 6ut e%en these in a sma++er
num6er than other cities" !ut a++o$in* that a sma++
re)u6+ic +i5e Lacedaemon ma' maintain its )o%ert'(
men uniform+' die( $hether the' are in $ant of
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 236/453
e%er'thin*( or en9o'in* the %arious means of render3
in* +ife a*reea6+e" The sa%a*e of Canada su6sists
and attains o+d a*e( as $e++ as the En*+ish citi1en
$ho has Jft' thousand *uineas a 'ear" !ut $ho
$i++ e%er com)are the countr' of the IroHuois to
En*+and M
Let the re)u6+ic of Ra*usa and the canton of
@u* enact sum)tuar' +a$s 4 the' are ri*ht in so
doin*" The )oor must not e7)end 6e'ond their
means 4 6ut I ha%e some$here read( that if )ar3
tia++' in9urious( +u7ur' 6eneJts a *reat nation u)on
the $ho+e"
Sache1 surtout Hue +e +u7e enrichit
/n *rand etat( s2i+ en )erd un )etit"
If 6' +u7ur' 'ou mean e7cess( $e 5no$ that e73
cess is uni%ersa++' )ernicious( in a6stinence as $e++
as *+utton'( in )arsimon' or )rofusion" I 5no$ not
; Phi+oso)hica+
ho$ it has ha))ened( that in m' o$n %i++a*e( $here
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 237/453
the soi+ is )oor and mea*re( the im)osts hea%'( and
the )rohi6ition a*ainst a man2s e7)ortin* the corn
he has himse+f so$n and rea)ed( into+era6+e( there
is hard+' a sin*+e cu+ti%ator $ho is not $e++ c+othed(
and $ho has not an am)+e su))+' of $armth and
food" Shou+d this cu+ti%ator *o to )+ou*h in his
6est c+othes and $ith his hair dressed and )o$dered(
there $ou+d in that case e7ist the *reatest and most
a6surd +u7ur' 4 6ut $ere a $ea+th' citi1en of Paris
or London to a))ear at the )+a' in the dress of this
)easant( he $ou+d e7hi6it the *rossest and most
ridicu+ous )arsimon'"
Est modus in re6us( sunt certi deniHue Jnes(
uos u+tra citraHue neHuit consistere rectum"
&ORACE( i" sat" i" %" ;=>"
Some certain mean in a++ thin*s ma' 6e found(
To mar5 our %irtues( and our %ices( 6ound"
FRANCIS"
On the in%ention of scissors( $hich are certain+'
not of the %er' hi*hest antiHuit'( $hat $as not said
of those $ho )ared their nai+s and cut o some of
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 238/453
their hair that $as han*in* do$n o%er their nosesM
The' $ere undou6ted+' considered as )rodi*a+s and
co7com6s( $ho 6ou*ht at an e7tra%a*ant )rice an
instrument 9ust ca+cu+ated to s)oi+ the $or5 of the
Creator" What an enormous sin to )are the horn
$hich od &imse+f made to *ro$ at otrr Jn*ers2
ends : It $as a6so+ute+' an insu+t to the Di%ine !e3
in* &imse+f" When shirts and soc5s $ere in%ented(
Dictionar'" ;<
it $as far $orse" It is $e++ 5no$n $ith $hat $rath
and indi*nation the o+d counse++ors( $ho had ne%er
$orn soc5s( e7c+aimed a*ainst the 'oun* ma*is3
trates $ho encoura*ed so dreadfu+ and fata+ a
+u7ur'"
0ADNESS"
W&AT is madnessM To ha%e erroneous )erce)3
tions( and to reason correct+' from themM Let the
$isest man( if he $ou+d understand madness( attend
to the succession of his ideas $hi+e he dreams" If
he 6e trou6+ed $ith indi*estion durin* the ni*ht( a
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 239/453
thousand incoherent ideas torment him4 it seems
as if nature )unished him for ha%in* ta5en too much
food( or for ha%in* in9udicious+' se+ected it( 6' su)3
)+'in* in%o+untar' conce)tions4 for $e thin5 6ut
+itt+e durin* s+ee)( e7ce)t $hen anno'ed 6' a 6ad
di*estion" /nHuiet dreams are in rea+it' a transient
madness"
0adness is a ma+ad' $hich necessari+' hinders
a man from thin5in* and actin* +i5e other men" Not
6ein* a6+e to mana*e )ro)ert'( the madman is $ith3
he+d from it4 inca)a65 of ideas suita6+e to societ'(
he is shut out from it4 if he 6e dan*erous( he is
conJned a+to*ether 4 and if he 6e furious( the' 6ind
him" Sometimes he is cured 6' 6aths( 6' 6+eedin*(
and 6' re*imen"
This man is not( ho$e%er( de)ri%ed of ideas 4 he
freHuent+' )ossesses them +i5e other men( and often
; >= Phi+oso)hica+"
$hen he s+ee)s" We mi*ht inHuire ho$ the s)ir3
itua+ and immorta+ sou+( +od*ed in his 6rain( recei%es
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 240/453
a++ its ideas correct+' and distinct+'( $ithout the ca3
)acit' of 9ud*ment" It )ercei%es o69ects( as the
sou+s of Aristot+e( of P+ato( of Loc5e( and of Ne$3
ton( )ercei%ed them" It hears the same sounds( and
)ossesses the same sense of fee+in* ho$ therefore(
recei%in* im)ressions +i5e the $isest( does the sou+
of the madman connect them e7tra%a*ant+'( and
)ro%e una6+e to dis)erse them M
If this sim)+e and eterna+ su6stance en9o's the
same )ro)erties as the sou+s $hich are +od*ed in
the sa*est 6rains( it ou*ht to reason +i5e them" Wh'
does it not M If m' madman sees a thin* red( $hi+e
the $ise men see it 6+ue4 if $hen m' sa*es hear
music( m' madman hears the 6ra'in* of an ass4
if $hen the' attend a sermon( he ima*ines himse+f
to 6e +istenin* to a comed'4 if $hen the' under3
stand 'es( he understands no4 then I concei%e
c+ear+' that his sou+ ou*ht to thin5 contrar' to theirs"
!ut m' madman ha%in* the same )erce)tions as
the' ha%e( there is no a))arent reason $h' his sou+(
ha%in* recei%ed a++ the necessar' materia+s( cannot
ma5e a )ro)er use of them" It is )ure( the' sa'(
and su69ect to no inJrmit'4 6eho+d it )ro%ided $ith
a++ the necessar' assistance 4 nothin* $hich )asses
in the 6od' can chan*e its essence 4 'et 3it is shut
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 241/453
u) in a c+ose carria*e( and con%e'ed to Charenton"
This reection ma' +ead us to sus)ect that the
facu+t' of thou*ht( 6esto$ed 6' od u)on man( is
Dictionar'" ; > .
su69ect to deran*ement +i5e the other senses" A
madman is an in%a+id $hose 6rain is diseased( $hi+e
the *out' man is one $ho suers in his feet and
hands" Peo)+e thin5 6' means of the 6rain( and
$a+5 on their feet( $ithout 5no$in* an'thin* of the
source of either this incom)rehensi6+e )o$er of
$a+5in*( or the eHua++' incom)rehensi6+e )o$er of
thin5in*4 6esides( the *out ma' 6e in the head( in3
stead of the feet" In short( after a thousand ar*u3
ments( faith a+one can con%ince us of the )ossi6i+it'
of a sim)+e and immateria+ su6stance +ia6+e to dis3
ease"
The +earned ma' sa' to the madman- #0'
friend( a+thou*h de)ri%ed of common sense( th' sou+
is as )ure( as s)iritua+( and as immorta+( as our o$n 4
6ut our sou+s are ha))i+' +od*ed( and thine not so"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 242/453
The $indo$s of its d$e++in* are c+osed4 it $ants
air( and is stied"#
The madman( in a +ucid inter%a+( $i++ re)+' to
them - #0' friends( 'ou 6e* the Huestion( as usua+"
0' $indo$s are as $ide o)en as 'our o$n( since I
can )ercei%e the same o69ects and +isten to the same
sounds" It necessari+' fo++o$s that m' sou+ ma5es
a 6ad use of m' senses 4 or that m' sou+ is a %itiated
sense( a de)ra%ed facu+t'" In a $ord( either m'
sou+ is itse+f diseased( or I ha%e no sou+"#
One of the doctors ma' re)+'- #0' 6rother(
od has )ossi6+' created foo+ish sou+s( as $e++ as
$ise ones"#
The madman $i++ ans$er - #If I 6e+ie%ed $hat
Vo+" ii ii
; > Phi+oso)hica+
'ou sa'( I shou+d 6e a sti++ *reater madman than I
am" &a%e the 5indness( 'ou $ho 5no$ so much( to
te++ me $h' I am madM#
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 243/453
Su))osin* the doctors to retain a +itt+e sense(
the' $ou+d sa' - #We 5no$ nothin* a6out the mat3
ter"#
Neither are the' more a6+e to com)rehend ho$ a
6rain )ossesses re*u+ar ideas( and ma5es a due use
of them" The' ca++ themse+%es sa*es( and are as
$ea5 as their )atient"
If the inter%a+ of reason of the madman +asts +on*
enou*h( he $i++ sa' to them- #0isera6+e morta+s(
$ho neither 5no$ the cause of m' ma+ad'( nor ho$
to cure it: Trem6+e( +est 'e 6ecome a+to*ether +i5e
me( or e%en sti++ $orse than I am: ?ou are not of
the hi*hest ran5( +i5e Char+es VI" of France( &enr'
VI" of En*+and( and the erman em)eror Win3
cens+aus( $ho a++ +ost their reason in the same cen3
tur'" ?ou ha%e not near+' so much $it as !+aise
Pasca+( .ames A6adie( or .onathan S$ift( $ho a++
6ecame insane" The +ast of them founded a hos3
)ita+ for us 4 sha++ I *o there and retain )+aces for
'ouM#
N" !" I re*ret that &i))ocrates shou+d ha%e
)rescri6ed the 6+ood of an ass2s co+t for madness4
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 244/453
and I am sti++ more sorr' that the #0anue+ des
Dames# asserts that it ma' 6e cured 6' catchin* the
itch" P+easant )rescri)tions these( and a))arent+'
in%ented 6' those $ho $ere to ta5e them :
Dictionar'" ;>G
0AIC"
0AIC is a more )+ausi6+e science than astro+o*'
and the doctrine of *enii" As soon as $e 6e*an to
thin5 that there $as in man a 6ein* Huite distinct
from matter( and that the understandin* e7ists after
death( $e *a%e this understandin* a Jne( su6ti+e(
aeria+ 6od'( resem6+in* the 6od' in $hich it $as
+od*ed" T$o Huite natura+ reasons introduced this
o)inion 4 the Jrst is( that in a++ +an*ua*es the sou+ $as
ca++ed s)irit( 6reath( $ind" This s)irit( this 6reath(
this $ind( $as therefore %er' Jne and de+icate" The
second is( that if the sou+ of a man had not retained
a form simi+ar to that $hich it )ossessed durin* its
+ife( $e shou+d not ha%e 6een a6+e after death to
distin*uish the sou+ of one man from that of another"
This sou+( this shade( $hich e7isted( se)arated from
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 245/453
its 6od'( mi*ht %er' $e++ sho$ itse+f u)on occasion(
re%isit the )+ace $hich it had inha6ited( its )arents
and friends( s)ea5 to them and instruct them" In
a++ this there is no incom)ati6i+it'"
As de)arted sou+s mi*ht %er' $e++ teach those
$hom the' came to %isit the secret of con9urin*
them( the' fai+ed not to do so4 and the $ord
#A6ra7a(# )ronounced $ith some ceremonies(
6rou*ht u) sou+s $ith $hom he $ho )ronounced it
$ished to s)ea5" I su))ose an E*')tian sa'in* to
a )hi+oso)her- #I descend in a ri*ht +ine from the
ma*icians of P+iaraoh( $ho chan*ed rods into ser3
)ents( and the $aters of the Ni+e into 6+ood 4 one of
; >Q Phi+oso)hica+
m' ancestors married the $itch of Endor( $ho con3
9ured u) the sou+ of Samue+ at the reHuest of Sau+ 4
she communicated her secrets to her hus6and( $ho
made her the conJdant of his o$n 4 I )ossess this in3
heritance from m' father and mother4 m' *enea+3
o*' is $e++ attested 4 I command the s)irits and e+e3
ments"#
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 246/453
The )hi+oso)her( in re)+'( $i++ ha%e nothin* to do
6ut to demand his )rotection4 for if dis)osed to
den' and dis)ute( the ma*ician $i++ shut his mouth
6' sa'in* - #?ou cannot den' the facts 4 m' ances3
tors ha%e 6een incontesta6+' *reat ma*icians( and
'ou dou6t it not 4 'ou ha%e no reason to 6e+ie%e that
I am inferior to them( )articu+ar+' $hen a man of
honor +i5e m'se+f assures 'ou that he is a sorcerer"#
The )hi+oso)her( to 6e sure( mi*ht sa' to him-
#Do me the )+easure to con9ure u) a shade4 a++o$
me to s)ea5 to a sou+ 4 chan*e this $ater into 6+ood(
and this rod into a ser)ent"#
The ma*ician $i++ ans$er - #I $or5 not for )hi3
+oso)hers 4 6ut I ha%e sho$n s)irits to %er' res)ec3
ta6+e +adies( and to sim)+e )eo)+e $ho ne%er dis)ute 4
'ou shou+d at +east 6e+ie%e that it is %er' )ossi6+e
for me to ha%e these secrets4 since 'ou are forced to
confess that m' ancestors )ossessed them" What
$as done former+' can 6e done no$ 4 and 'ou ou*ht
to 6e+ie%e in ma*ic $ithout m' 6ein* o6+i*,ed to e73
ercise m' art 6efore 'ou"#
These reasons are so *ood that a++ nations ha%e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 247/453
had sorcerers" The *reatest sorcerers $ere )aid 6'
Dictionar'" ;>
the state( in order to disco%er the future c+ear+' in
the heart and +i%er of an o7" Wh'( therefore( ha%e
others so +on* 6een )unished $ith deathM The'
ha%e done more mar%e++ous thin*s 4 the' shou+d(
therefore( 6e more honored4 a6o%e a++( their )o$er
shou+d 6e feared" Nothin* is more ridicu+ous than
to condemn a true ma*ician to 6e 6urned 4 for $e
shou+d )resume that he can e7tin*uish the Jre and
t$ist the nec5s of his 9ud*es" A++ that $e can do
is to sa' to him - #0' friend( $e do not 6urn 'ou as
a true sorcerer( 6ut as a fa+se one 4 'ou 6oast of an
admira6+e art $hich 'ou )ossess not 4 $e treat 'ou
as a man $ho utters fa+se mone'4 the more $e
+o%e the *ood( the more se%ere+' $e )unish those
$ho *i%e us counterfeits 4 $e 5no$ %er' $e++ that
there $ere former+' %enera6+e con9urors( 6ut $e
ha%e reason to 6e+ie%e that 'ou are not one( since 'ou
suer 'ourse+f to 6e 6urned +i5e a foo+"#
It is true( that the ma*ician so )ushed mi*ht sa' -
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 248/453
#0' conscience e7tends not so far as to e7tin*uish a
)i+e $ithout $ater( and to 5i++ m' 9ud*es $ith
$ords" I can on+' ca++ u) s)irits( read the future(
and chan*e certain su6stances into others4 m'
)o$er is 6ounded 4 6ut 'ou shou+d not for that rea3
son 6urn me at a s+o$ Jre" It is as if 'ou caused a
)h'sician to 6e han*ed $ho cou+d cure fe%er( and
not a )ara+'sis"#
The 9ud*es mi*ht( ho$e%er( sti++ reasona6+' o63
ser%e- #Sho$ us then some secret of 'our art( or
consent to 6e 6urned $ith a *ood *race"#
; >> Phi+oso)hica+
0ALAD? 0EDICINE"
I WILL su))ose that a fair )rincess $ho ne%er
heard s)ea5 of anatom' is i++ either from ha%in*
eaten or danced too much( or ha%in* done too much
of $hat se%era+ )rincesses occasiona++' do" I su)3
)ose the fo++o$in* contro%ers' ta5es )+ace -
P&?SICIAN"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 249/453
0adam( for 'our hea+th to 6e *ood( it is neces3
sar' for 'our cere6rum and cere6e++um to distri6ute
a Jne( $e++3conditioned marro$( in the s)ine of 'our
6ac5 do$n to 'our hi*hness2s rum) 4 and that this
marro$ shou+d eHua++' animate Jfteen )airs of
ner%es( each ri*ht and +eft" It is necessar' that 'our
heart shou+d contract and di+ate itse+f $ith a con3
stant+' eHua+ force4 and that a++ the 6+ood $hich it
forces into 'our arteries shou+d circu+ate in a++ these
arteries and %eins a6out si7 hundred times a da'"
This 6+ood( in circu+atin* $ith a ra)idit' $hich sur3
)asses that of the Rhone( ou*ht to dis)ose on its
)assa*e of that $hich continua++' forms the +'m)h(
urine( 6i+e( etc"( of 'our hi*hness of that $hich
furnishes a++ these secretions( $hich insensi6+' ren3
der 'our s5in soft( fresh( and fair( that $ithout them
$ou+d 6e 'e++o$( *ra'( dr'( and shri%e++ed( +i5e o+d
)archment"
PRINCESS"
We++( sir( the 5in* )a's 'ou to attend to a++ this -
fai+ not to )ut a++ thin*s in their )+ace( and to ma5e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 250/453
Dictionar'" ;>
m' +iHuids circu+ate so that I ma' 6e comforta6+e"
I $arn 'ou that I $i++ not suer $ith im)unit'"
P&?SICIAN"
0adam( address 'our orders to the Author of na3
ture" The so+e )o$er $hich made mi++ions of )+an3
ets and comets to re%o+%e round mi++ions of suns has
directed the course of 'our 6+ood"
PRINCESS"
What : are 'ou a )h'sician( and can 'ou )rescri6e
nothin* M
P&?SICIAN"
No( madam4 $e can on+' ta5e a$a' from( $e
can add nothin* to nature" ?our ser%ants c+ean
'our )a+ace( 6ut the architect 6ui+t it" If 'our hi*h3
ness has eaten *reedi+'( I can c+eanse 'our entrai+s
$ith cassia( manna( and )ods of senna 4 it is a 6room
$hich I introduce to c+eanse 'our inside" If 'ou
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 251/453
ha%e a cancer( I must cut o 'our 6reast( 6ut I can3
not *i%e 'ou another" &a%e 'ou a stone in 'our
6+adderM I can de+i%er 'ou from it" I can cut o a
*an*rened foot( +ea%in* 'ou to $a+5 on the other" In
a $ord( $e )h'sicians )erfect+' resem6+e teeth3
dra$ers( $ho e7tract a deca'ed tooth( $ithout the
)o$er of su6stitutin* a sound one( Huac5s as the'
are"
PRINCESS"
?ou ma5e me trem6+e 4 I 6e+ie%ed that )h'sicians
cured a++ ma+adies"
; > Phi+oso)hica+
P&?SICIAN"
We infa++i6+' cure a++ those $hich cure them3
se+%es" It is *enera++'( and $ith %er' fe$ e7ce)3
tions( $ith interna+ ma+adies as $ith e7terna+
$ounds" Nature a+one cures those $hich are not
morta+" Those $hich are so $i++ Jnd no resource
in it"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 252/453
PRINCESS"
What: a++ these secrets for )urif'in* the 6+ood(
of $hich m' +adies ha%e s)o5en to me 4 this !aume
de Vie of the Sieur de Lie%re 4 these )ac5ets of the
Sieur Arnau+d4 a++ these )i++s so much )raised 6'
famines de cham6re
P&?SICIAN"
Are so man' in%entions to *et mone'( and to at3
ter )atients( $hi+e nature a+one acts"
PRINCESS"
!ut there are s)eciJcs M
P&?SICIAN"
?es( madam( +i5e the $ater of 'outh in romances"
PRINCESS"
In $hat( then( consists medicineM
P&?SICIAN"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 253/453
I ha%e a+read' to+d 'ou( in c+eanin* and 5ee)in*
in order the house $hich $e cannot re6ui+d"
PRINCESS"
There are( ho$e%er( sa+utar' thin*s( and others
hurtfu+ M
Dictionar'" ;><
P&?SICIAN"
?ou ha%e *uessed a++ the secret" Eat moderate+'
that $hich 'ou 5no$ 6' e7)erience $i++ a*ree $ith
'ou" Nothin* is *ood for the 6od' 6ut $hat is
easi+' di*ested" What medicine $i++ 6est assist di3
*estionM E7ercise" What 6est recruit 'our
stren*thM S+ee)" What $i++ diminish incura6+e
i++sM Patience" What chan*e a 6ad constitutionM
Nothin*" In a++ %io+ent ma+adies( $e ha%e on+' the
reci)e of 0o+iere( #sei)nare( )ur *ar e# 4 and( if $e
$i++( #c+isterium donare"# There is not a fourth"
A++( I ha%e to+d 'ou amounts on+' to 5ee)in* a house
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 254/453
in order( to $hich $e cannot add a )e*" A++ art con3
sists in ada)tation"
PRINCESS"
?ou )u not 'our merchandise" ?ou are an
honest man" When I am Hueen( I $i++ ma5e 'ou
m' Jrst )h'sician"
P&?SICIAN"
Let nature 6e 'our Jrst )h'sician" It is she $ho
made a++" Of those $ho ha%e +i%ed 6e'ond a hun3
dred 'ears( none $ere of the facu+t'" The 5in* of
France has a+read' 6uried fort' of his )h'sicians(
as man' chief )h'sicians( 6esides )h'sicians of the
esta6+ishment( and others"
PRINCESS"
And( tru+'( I ho)e to 6ur' 'ou a+so"
; = Phi+oso)hica+
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 255/453
0AN"
To KNOW the natura+ )hi+oso)h' of the human
race( it is necessar' to read $or5s of anatom'( or
rather to *o throu*h a course of anatom'"
To 6e acHuainted $ith the man $e ca++ #mora+(#
it is a6o%e a++ necessar' to ha%e +i%ed and reected"
Are not a++ mora+ $or5s contained in these $ords of
.o6 M #0an that is 6orn of a $oman hath 6ut a fe$
da's to +i%e( and is fu++ of trou6+e" &e cometh forth
+i5e a o$er( and is cut do$n - he eeth as a shado$(
and continued: not"#
We ha%e a+read' seen that the human race has not
a6o%e t$o3and3t$ent' 'ears to +i%e( rec5onin* those
$ho die at their nurses2 6reasts( and those $ho for
a hundred 'ears dra* on the remains of a misera6+e
and im6eci+e +ife"
It is a Jne a)o+o*ue( that ancient fa6+e of the Jrst
man $ho $as at Jrst destined to +i%e t$ent' 'ears
at most( and $ho reduced it to J%e 'ears 6' esti3
matin* one +ife $ith another" The man $as in de3
s)air( and had near him a cater)i++ar( a 6utter'( a
)eacoc5( a horse( a fo7( and an a)e"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 256/453
#Pro+on* m' +ife(# said he to .u)iter4 #I am
more $orth' than these anima+s4 it is 9ust that I
and m' fami+' shou+d +i%e +on* to command a++
6easts"# #Wi++in*+'(# said .u)iter4 #6ut I ha%e
on+' a certain num6er of da's to di%ide amon* the
$ho+e of the 6ein*s to $hom I ha%e *ranted +ife"
I can on+' *i%e to thee 6' ta5in* a$a' from others 4
T&E DREA0 OR &/0AN LIRE
Dictionar'" ;;
for ima*ine not( that 6ecause I am .u)iter( I am in3
Jnite and a++3)o$erfu+4 I ha%e m' nature and m'
+imits" No$ I $i++ *rant thee some 'ears more( 6'
ta5in* them from these si7 anima+s( of $hich thou
art 9ea+ous( on condition that thou sha+t successi%e+'
assume their manner of +i%in*" 0an sha++ Jrst 6e a
cater)i++ar( dra**in* himse+f a+on* in his ear+iest
infanc'" /nti+ Jfteen( he sha++ ha%e the +i*htness
of a 6utter' 4 in his 'outh( the %anit' of a )eacoc5"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 257/453
In manhood he must under*o the +a6ors of a horse"
To$ards Jft'( he sha++ ha%e the tric5s of a fo7 4
and in his o+d a*e( 6e u*+' and ridicu+ous +i5e an
a)e" This( in *enera+( is the destin' of man"#
Remar5 further( that not$ithstandin* these 6oun3
ties of .u)iter( the anima+ man has sti++ 6ut t$o or
three and t$ent' 'ears to +i%e( at most" Ta5in*
man5ind in *enera+( of this a third must 6e ta5en
a$a' for s+ee)( durin* $hich $e are in a certain
sense dead4 thus there remain Jfteen( and from
these Jfteen $e must ta5e at +east ei*ht for our Jrst
infanc'( $hich is( as it has 6een ca++ed( the %esti6u+e
of +ife" The c+ear )roduct $i++ 6e se%en 'ears( and
of these se%en 'ears the ha+f at +east is consumed in
*rief of a++ 5inds" Ta5e three 'ears and a ha+f for
+a6or( fati*ue( and dissatisfaction( and $e sha++ ha%e
none remainin*" We++( )oor anima+( $i++ 'ou sti++
6e )roudM
/nfortunate+'( in this fa6+e .u)iter for*ot to
dress this anima+ as he c+othed the ass( horse( )ea3
coc5( and e%en the cater)i++ar" 0an had on+' his
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 258/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 259/453
not hands( the' cou+d not 6ui+d houses and $or5
ta)estr'" A))arent+'( those $ho ha%e condemned
this )ro)osition( ha%e disco%ered a secret for cuttin*
stones and $ood( and $or5in* at the need+e $ith
their feet"
I +i5ed the author of the $or5 #On 0ind2 This
man $as $orth more than a++ his enemies to*ether 4
6ut I ne%er a))ro%ed either the errors of his 6oo5(
Dictionar'" ;G
or the tri%ia+ truths $hich he so em)hatica++' en3
forced" I ha%e( ho$e%er( 6o+d+' ta5en his )art $hen
a6surd men ha%e condemned him for these same
truths"
I ha%e no terms to e7)ress the e7cess of m' con3
tem)t for those $ho( for e7am)+e2s sa5e( $ou+d ma*3
isteria++' )roscri6e this )assa*e - #The Tur5s can
on+' 6e considered deists"# &o$ then( )edant:
$ou+d 'ou ha%e them re*arded as atheists( 6ecause
the' adore on+' one od :
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 260/453
?ou condemn this other )ro)osition - #The man
of sense 5no$s that men are $hat the' must 6e4
that a++ hatred a*ainst them is un9ust4 that a foo+
commits foo+eries as a $i+d stoc5 6ears 6itter fruits"#
So( cra66ed stoc5s of the schoo+s( 'ou )ersecute
a man 6ecause he hates 'ou not: Let us( ho$e%er(
+ea%e the schoo+s( and )ursue our su69ect"
Reason( industrious hands( a head ca)a6+e of *en3
era+i1in* ideas( a +an*ua*e )+iant enou*h to e7)ress
them these are *reat 6eneJts *ranted 6' the Su3
)reme !ein* to man( to the e7c+usion of other ani3
ma+s"
The ma+e in *enera+ +i%es rather a shorter time
than the fema+e" &e is a+so *enera++' +ar*er in )ro3
)ortion" A man of the +oftiest stature is common+'
t$o or three inches hi*her than the ta++est $oman"
&is stren*th is a+most a+$a's su)erior4 he is
more acti%e 4 and ha%in* a++ his or*ans stron*er( he
is more ca)a6+e of a J7ed attention" A++ arts ha%e
6een in%ented 6' him( and not 6' $oman" We
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 261/453
;Q Phi+oso)hica+
shou+d remar5( that it is not the Jre of ima*ination(
6ut )erse%erin* meditation and com6ination of ideas
$hich ha%e in%ented arts( as mechanics( *un)o$der(
)rintin*( dia++in*( etc"
0an a+one 5no$s that he must die( and 5no$s
it on+' 6' e7)erience" A chi+d 6rou*ht u) a+one(
and trans)orted into a desert is+and( $ou+d dream of
death no more than a )+ant or a cat"
A sin*u+ar man has $ritten that the human 6od'
is a fruit( $hich is *reen unti+ o+d a*e( and that the
moment of death is that of maturit'" A stran*e ma3
turit'( ashes and )utrefaction: The head of this
)hi+oso)her $as not ri)e" &o$ man' e7tra%a*ances
has the ra*e for te++in* no%e+ties )roduced M
The )rinci)a+ occu)ations of our race are the
)ro%ision of food( +od*in*( and c+othin* 4 a++ the rest
are near+' accessor'4 and it is this )oor accessor'
$hich has )roduced so man' ra%a*es and murders"
Dierent Races of 0en"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 262/453
We ha%e e+se$here seen ho$ man' dierent races
of men this *+o6e contains( and to $hat de*rees the
Jrst ne*ro and the Jrst $hite $ho met $ere aston3
ished at one another"
It is +i5e+' enou*h that se%era+ $ea5+' s)ecies of
men and anima+s ha%e )erished" It is thus that $e
no +on*er disco%er an' of the mure7( of $hich the
s)ecies has )ro6a6+' 6een de%oured 6' other ani3
ma+s $ho se%era+ a*es after %isited the shores in3
ha6ited 6' this +itt+e she++Jsh"
Dictionar'" ;
St" .erome( in his #&istor' of the Father of the
Desert(# s)ea5s of a centaur $ho had a con%ersation
$ith St" Anthon' the hermit" &e after$ards *i%es
an account of a much +on*er discourse that the same
Anthon' had $ith a sat'r"
St" Au*ustine( in his thirt'3third sermon( ad3
dressed #To his !rothers in the Desert(# te++ thin*s
as e7traordinar' as .erome" #I $as a+read' 6isho)
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 263/453
of &i))o( $hen I $ent into Ethio)ia $ith some ser%3
ants of Christ( there to )reach the *os)e+" In this
countr' $e sa$ man' men and $omen $ithout
heads( $ho had t$o *reat e'es in their 6reasts" In
countries sti++ more souther+'( $e sa$ a )eo)+e $ho
had 6ut one e'e in their foreheads(# etc"
A))arent+'( Au*ustine and .erome then s)o5e
#$ith econom'4# the' au*mented the $or5s of
creation to raise *reater admiration of the $or5s of
od" The' sou*ht to astonish men 6' fa6+es( to
render them more su6missi%e to the 'o5e of faith"
We can 6e %er' *ood Christians $ithout 6e+ie%in*
in centaurs( men $ithout heads( or $ith on+' one e'e(
one +e*( etc" !ut can $e dou6t that the interior
structure of a ne*ro ma' 6e dierent to that of a
$hite( since the mucous netted mem6rane 6eneath
the s5in is $hite in the one( and 6+ac5 in the otherM
I ha%e a+read' to+d 'ou so( 6ut 'ou are deaf"
The A+6inos and the Darians the Jrst ori*ina++'
of Africa( and the second of the midd+e of America
are as dierent from us as from the ne*roes"
There are 'e++o$( red( and *ra' races" We ha%e a+3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 264/453
;> Phi+oso)hica+
read' seen that a++ the Americans are $ithout
6eards or hair on their 6odies( e7ce)t the head and
e'e6ro$s" A++ are eHua++' men( 6ut on+' as a Jr( an
oa5( and a )ear tree are eHua++' trees 4 the )ear tree
comes not from the Jr( nor the Jr from the oa5"
!ut $hence comes it( that in the midst of the Pa3
ciJc Ocean( in an is+and named Otaheite( the men
are 6eardedM It is to as5 $h' $e are so( $hi+e the
Peru%ians( 0e7icans( and Canadians are not" It
is to as5( $h' a)es ha%e tai+s( and $h' nature has
refused us an ornament $hich( at +east amon* us(
is an e7treme rarit'"
The inc+inations and characters of men dier as
much as their c+imates and *o%ernments" It has
ne%er 6een )ossi6+e to com)ose a re*iment of La)3
+anders and Samo'eds( $hi+st the Si6erians( their
nei*h6ors( 6ecome intre)id so+diers"
Neither can 'ou ma5e *ood *renadiers of a )oor
Darian or an A+6ino" It is not 6ecause the' ha%e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 265/453
)artrid*e e'es( or that their hair and e'e6ro$s are
+i5e the Jnest and $hitest si+5 4 6ut it is 6ecause their
6odies( and conseHuent+' their coura*e( )arta5e of
the most e7treme $ea5ness" There is none 6ut a
6+ind man( and e%en an o6stinate 6+ind man( $ho can
den' the e7istence of a++ these dierent s)ecies" It
is as *reat and remar5a6+e as that of a)es"
That A++ Races of 0en &a%e Constant+' 2Li%ed in
Societ'"
A++ the men $hom $e ha%e disco%ered in the
most uncu+ti%ated and fri*htfu+ countries herd to3
Dictionar'" ;
*ather +i5e 6ea%ers( ants( 6ees( and se%era+ other s)e3
cies of anima+s"
We ha%e ne%er seen countries in $hich the' +i%ed
se)arate 4 or in $hich the ma+e on+' 9oined $ith the
fema+e 6' chance( and a6andoned her the moment
after in dis*ust 4 or in $hich the mother estran*ed
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 266/453
herse+f from her chi+dren( after ha%in* 6rou*ht them
u)4 or in $hich human 6ein*s +i%ed $ithout fam3
i+' and societ'" Some )oor 9esters ha%e a6used their
understandin*s so far as to ha1ard the astonishin*
)arado7( that man is ori*ina++' created to +i%e a+one(
and that it is societ' $hich has de)ra%ed his nature"
The' mi*ht as $e++ sa' that herrin*s $ere created
to s$im a+one in the sea 4 and that it is 6' an e7cess
of corru)tion( that the' )ass in a troo) from the
Fro1en Ocean to our shores 4 that former+' cranes
e$ in the air sin*+'( and that( 6' a %io+ation of
their natura+ instinct( the' ha%e su6seHuent+' chosen
to tra%e+ in com)an'"
E%er' anima+ has its instinct( and the instinct of
man( fortiJed 6' reason( dis)oses him to$ards so3
ciet'( as to$ards eatin* and drin5in*" So far from
the $ant of societ' ha%in* de*raded man( it is es3
tran*ement from societ' $hich de*rades him" Who3
e%er +i%ed a6so+ute+' a+one( $ou+d soon +ose the fac3
u+t' of thin5in* and e7)ressin* himse+f 4 he $ou+d
6e a 6urden to himse+f( and it $ou+d on+' remain to
metamor)hose him into a 6east" An e7cess of )o$3
er+ess )ride( $hich rises u) a*ainst the )ride of oth3
ers( ma' induce a me+ancho+' man to ' from his
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 267/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 268/453
A++ this is e7ecra6+e 4 6ut ha))i+' nothin* is more
fa+se" If this 6ar6arous indierence $as the true
instinct of nature( man5ind $ou+d a+$a's ha%e
acted thus" Instinct is unchan*ea6+e( its inconsist3
encies are %er' rare 4 the father $ou+d a+$a's a6an3
don the mother( and the mother $ou+d a6andon her
chi+d" There $ou+d ha%e 6een much fe$er men on
earth than %oracious anima+s 4 for the $i+d 6easts
6etter )ro%ided and 6etter armed( ha%e a more
)rom)t instinct( more sure means of +i%in*( ancf a
more certain nourishment than man5ind"
Dictionar'" ;3<
Our nature is %er' dierent from the fri*htfu+
romance $hich this man( )ossessed of the de%i+(
has made of it" E7ce)t some 6ar6arous sou+s en3
tire+' 6rutish( or )erha)s a )hi+oso)her more 6ruta+
sti++( the rou*hest man( 6' a )re%ai+in* instinct( +o%es
the chi+d $hich is not 'et 6orn( the $om6 $hich
6ears it 4 and the mother redou6+es her +o%e for him
from $hom she has recei%ed the *erm of a 6ein*
simi+ar to himse+f"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 269/453
The instinct of the co++iers of the !+ac5 Forest
s)ea5s to them as +oud+'( and animates them as
stron*+' in fa%or of their chi+dren as the instinct of
)i*eons and ni*htin*a+es induces them to feed their
+itt+e ones" Time has therefore 6een sad+' +ost in
$ritin* these a6omina6+e a6surdities"
The *reat fau+t of a++ these )arado7ica+ 6oo5s +ies
in a+$a's su))osin* nature %er' dierent from $hat
it is" If the satires on man and $oman $ritten 6'
!oi+eau $ere not )+easantries( the' $ou+d sin in
the essentia+ )oint of su))osin* a++ men foo+s and a++
$omen coHuettes"
The same author( an enem' to societ'( +i5e the
fo7 $ithout a tai+ $ho $ou+d ha%e his com)anions
cut o theirs( thus in a ma*isteria+ st'+e e7)resses
himse+f -
#The Jrst $ho( ha%in* enc+osed an estate( too5
u)on himse+f to sa'- 2This is mine(2 and found
)eo)+e sim)+e enou*h to 6e+ie%e him( $as the true
founder of societ'" What crimes( $ars( murders(
miseries( and horrors( mi*ht ha%e 6een s)ared to
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 270/453
; = Phi+oso)hica+
man5ind if some one( sei1in* the sta5es( or J++in* u)
the )it( had cried to his com)anions - 2Ta5e care ho$
'ou +isten to this im)ostor 4 'ou are +ost if 'ou for3
*et that the fruits are common to a++( and that the
earth 6e+on*s to no6od' :2 #
Thus( accordin* to this Jne )hi+oso)her( a thief(
a destro'er( $ou+d ha%e 6een the 6enefactor of man3
5ind( and $e shou+d )unish an honest man $ho
sa's to his chi+dren - #Let us imitate our nei*h6or 4
he has enc+osed his Je+d( the 6easts $i++ no +on*er
ra%a*e it( his +and $i++ 6ecome more ferti+e 4 +et us
$or5 ours as he has +a6ored his 4 it $i++ aid us( and
$e sha++ im)ro%e it" Each fami+' cu+ti%atin* its
o$n enc+osure( $e sha++ 6e 6etter fed( more hea+th'(
more )eacea6+e( and +ess unha))'" We $i++ en3
dea%or to esta6+ish a distri6uti%e 9ustice( $hich $i++
conso+e our unha))' race 4 and $e sha++ 6e raised
a6o%e the fo7es and )o+ecats( to $hom this 6a66+er
$ou+d com)are us"#
Wou+d not this discourse 6e more sensi6+e and
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 271/453
honest than that of the sa%a*e foo+ $ho $ou+d de3
stro' the *ood man2s orchardM What )hi+oso)h'
therefore is that $hich sa's thin*s that common
sense disc+aims from China to CanadaM Is it not
that of a 6e**ar( $ho $ou+d ha%e a++ the rich ro66ed
6' the )oor( in order that fraterna+ union mi*ht 6e
6etter esta6+ished amon* menM
It is true( that if a++ the hed*es( forests( and )+ains
$ere co%ered $ith $ho+esome and de+icious fruits(
Dictionar'" ;;
it $ou+d 6e im)ossi6+e( un9ust( and ridicu+ous( to
*uard them"
If there are an' is+ands in $hich nature )roduces
food and a++ necessaries $ithout trou6+e( +et us *o
and +i%e there( far from the trash of our +a$s 4 6ut
as soon as 'ou ha%e )eo)+ed them( $e must return
to meum and tunm( and to +a$s $hich are often %er'
6ad( 6ut $hich $e cannot rationa++' a6o+ish"
Is 0an !orn Wic5edM
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 272/453
Is it not demonstrated that man is not 6orn )er3
%erse and the chi+d of the de%i+M If such $as his
nature( he $ou+d commit enormous crimes and 6ar3
6arities as soon as he cou+d $a+5 4 he $ou+d use the
Jrst 5nife he cou+d Jnd( to $ound $hoe%er dis3
)+eased him" &e $ou+d necessari+' resem6+e +itt+e
$o+%es and fo7es( $ho 6ite as soon as the' can"
On the contrar'( throu*hout the $or+d( he )ar3
ta5es of the nature of the +am6( $hi+e he is an infant"
Wh'( therefore( and ho$ is it( that he so often 6e3
comes a $o+f and fo7M Is it not that( 6ein* 6orn
neither *ood nor $ic5ed( education( e7am)+e( the
*o%ernment into $hich he is thro$n in short( oc3
casion of e%er' 5ind determines him to %irtue or
%iceM
Perha)s human nature cou+d not 6e other$ise"
0an cou+d not a+$a's ha%e fa+se thou*hts( nor a+3
$a's true aections 4 6e a+$a's s$eet( or a+$a's
crue+"
; Phi+oso)hica+
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 273/453
It is demonstra6+e that $oman is e+e%ated 6e'ond
men in the sca+e of *oodness" We see a hundred
6rothers enemies to each other( to one C+'temnestra"
There are )rofessions $hich necessari+' render
the sou+ )iti+ess those of the so+dier( the 6utcher(
the o8cer of 9ustice( and the 9ai+er4 and a++ trades
$hich are founded on the anno'ance of others"
The o8cer( the so+dier( the 9ai+er( for e7am)+e(
are on+' ha))' in ma5in* others misera6+e" It is
true( the' are necessar' a*ainst ma+efactors( and so
far usefu+ to societ' 4 6ut of a thousand men of the
5ind( there is not one $ho acts from the moti%e of
the )u6+ic *ood( or $ho e%en reects that it is a )u63
+ic *ood"
It is a6o%e a++ a curious thin* to hear them s)ea5
of their )ro$ess as the' count the num6er of their
%ictims 4 their snares to entra) them( the i++s $hich
the' ha%e made them suer( and the mone' $hich
the' ha%e *ot 6' it"
Whoe%er has 6een a6+e to descend to the su6a+3
tern detai+ of the 6ar 4 $hoe%er has on+' heard +a$3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 274/453
'ers reason fami+iar+' amon* themse+%es( and a)3
)+aud themse+%es for the miseries of their c+ients(
must ha%e a %er' )oor o)inion of human nature"
There are more fri*htfu+ )ossessions sti++( $hich
are( ho$e%er( can%assed for +i5e a canonshi)" There
are some $hich chan*e an honest man 9nto a
ro*ue( and $hich accustom him to +ie in s)ite of him3
se+f( to decei%e a+most $ithout )ercei%in* it( to )ut
a 6+ind 6efore the e'es of others( to )rostrate himse+f
Dictionar'" ; G
6' the interest and %anit' of his situation( and $ith3
out remorse to )+un*e man5ind into stu)id 6+indness"
Women( incessant+' occu)ied $ith the education
of their chi+dren( and shut u) in their domestic cares(
are e7c+uded from a++ these )rofessions( $hich )er3
%ert human nature and render it atrocious" The'
are e%er'$here +ess 6ar6arous than men"
Ph'sics 9oin $ith mora+s to )re%ent them from
*reat crimes4 their 6+ood is mi+der4 the' are +ess
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 275/453
addicted to stron* +iHuors( $hich ins)ire ferocit'"
An e%ident )roof is( that of a thousand %ictims of
9ustice in a thousand e7ecuted assassins( $e scarce+'
rec5on four $omen" It is a+so )ro%ed e+se$here( I
6e+ie%e( that in Asia there are not t$o e7am)+es of
$omen condemned to a )u6+ic )unishment" It a)3
)ears( therefore( that our customs and ha6its ha%e
rendered the ma+e s)ecies %er' $ic5ed"
If this truth $as *enera+ and $ithout e7ce)tions(
the s)ecies $ou+d 6e more horri6+e than s)iders(
$o+%es( and )o+ecats are to our e'es" !ut ha))i+'(
)rofessions $hich harden the heart and J++ it $ith
odious )assions( are %er' rare" O6ser%e( that in a
nation of t$ent' mi++ions( there are at most t$o
hundred thousand so+diers" This is 6ut one so+dier
to t$o hundred indi%idua+s" These t$o hundred
thousand so+diers are he+d in the most se%ere dis3
ci)+ine( and there are amon* them %er' honest )eo)+e(
$ho return to their %i++a*es and Jnish their o+d a*e
as *ood fathers and hus6ands"
The num6er of other trades $hich are dan*erous
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 276/453
; Q Phi+oso)hica+
to manners( is 6ut sma++" La6orers( artisans( 3and ar3
tists are too much occu)ied often to de+i%er them3
se+%es u) to crime" The earth $i++ a+$a's 6ear de3
testa6+e $retches( and 6oo5s $i++ a+$a's e7a**erate
the num6er( $hich( rather than 6ein* *reater( is +ess
than $e sa'"
If man5ind had 6een under the em)ire of the
de%i+( there $ou+d 6e no +on*er an' )erson u)on
earth" Let us conso+e ourse+%es - $e ha%e seen( and
$e sha++ a+$a's see( Jne minds from Pe5in to +a
Roche++e 4 and $hate%er +icentiates and 6ache+ors
ma' sa'( the Tituses( Tra9ans( Antoninuses( and
Peter !a'+es $ere %er' honest men"
Of 0an in the State of Pure Nature"
What $ou+d man 6e in the state $hich $e ca++
that of )ure natureM An anima+ much 6e+o$ the
Jrst IroHuois $hom $e found in the north of Amer3
ica" &e $ou+d 6e %er' inferior to these IroHuois(
since the' 5ne$ ho$ to +i*ht Jres and ma5e ar3
ro$s" &e $ou+d reHuire a*es to arri%e at these
t$o arts"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 277/453
0an( a6andoned to )ure nature( $ou+d ha%e( for
his +an*ua*e( on+' a fe$ inarticu+ate sounds4 the
s)ecies $ou+d 6e reduced to a %er' sma++ num6er(
from the di8cu+t' of *ettin* nourishment and the
$ant of he+)( at +east in our harsh c+imates" &e
$ou+d ha%e no more 5no$+ed*e of od and the
sou+( than of mathematics 4 these ideas $ou+d 6e
+ost in the care of )rocurin* food" The race of 6ea%3
ers $ou+d 6e inJnite+' )refera6+e"
Dictionar'" ;
0an $ou+d then 6e on+' )recise+' +i5e a ro6ust
chi+d 4 and $e ha%e seen man' men $ho are not
much a6o%e that state( as it is" The La)+anders( the
Samo'eds( the inha6itants of Kamchat5a( the Kaf3
Jrs( and &ottentots are $ith res)ect to an in a
state of )ure nature that $hich the courts of C'3
rus and Semiramis $ere in com)arison $ith the in3
ha6itants of the Ce%ennes" ?et the inha6itants of
Kamchat5a and the &ottentots of our da's( so su3
)erior to men entire+' sa%a*e( are anima+s $ho +i%e
si7 months of the 'ear in ca%erns( $here the' eat
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 278/453
the %ermin 6' $hich the' are eaten"
In *enera+( man5ind is not a6o%e t$o or three de3
*rees more ci%i+i1ed than the Kamchat5ans" The
mu+titude of 6rute 6easts ca++ed men( com)ared $ith
the +itt+e num6er of those $ho thin5( is at +east in
the )ro)ortion of a hundred to one in man' nations"
It is )+easant to contem)+ate on one side( Father
0a+e6ranche( $ho treats fami+iar+' of #the Word# 4
and on the other( these mi++ions of anima+s simi+ar
to him( $ho ha%e ne%er heard s)ea5 of #the Word(#
and $ho ha%e not one meta)h'sica+ idea"
!et$een men of )ure instinct and men of *enius
oats this immense num6er occu)ied so+e+' $ith su63
sistin*"
This su6sistence costs us so much )ains( that in
the north of America an ima*e of od often runs
J%e or si7 +ea*ues to *et a dinner4 $hi+st amon*
us the ima*e of od 6ede$s the *round $ith the
s$eat of his 6ro$( in order to )rocure 6read"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 279/453
; > Phi+oso)hica+
Add to this 6read or the eHui%a+ent a hut( and
a )oor dress( and 'ou $i++ ha%e man such as he is
in *enera+( from one end of the uni%erse to the other -
and it is on+' in a mu+titude of a*es that he has 6een
a6+e to arri%e at this hi*h de*ree of attainment"
Fina++'( after other a*es( thin*s *ot to the )oint
at $hich $e see them" &ere $e re)resent a tra*3
ed' in music 4 there $e 5i++ one another on the hi*h
seas of another hemis)here( $ith a thousand )ieces
of cannon" The o)era and a shi) of $ar of the Jrst
ran5 a+$a's astonish m' ima*ination" I dou6t
$hether the' can 6e carried much farther in an'
of the *+o6es $ith $hich the hea%ens are studded"
0ore than ha+f the ha6ita6+e $or+d( ho$e%er( is
sti++ )eo)+ed $ith t$o3footed anima+s( $ho +i%e in the
horri6+e state a))roachin* to )ure nature( e7istin*
and c+othin* themse+%es $ith di8cu+t'( scarce+' en3
9o'in* the *ift of s)eech( scarce+' )ercei%in* that
the' are unfortunate( and +i%in* and d'in* a+most
$ithout 5no$in* it"
E7amination of a Thou*ht of Pasca+ on 0an"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 280/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 281/453
It is therefore thou*ht $hich ma5es the 6ein* of
a man" In this case( thou*ht $ou+d 6e his essence(
as e7tent and so+idit' are the essence of matter" 0an
$ou+d thin5 essentia++' and a+$a's( as matter is a+3
$a's e7tended and so+id" &e $ou+d thin5 in a )ro3
found s+ee) $ithout dreams( in a Jt( in a +ethar*'(
in the $om6 of his mother" I $e++ 5no$ that I ne%er
thou*ht in an' of these states4 I confess it often4
and I dou6t not that others are +i5e m'se+f"
If thou*ht $as as essentia+ to man as e7tent is
to matter( it $ou+d fo++o$ that od cannot de)ri%e
this anima+ of understandin*( since he cannot de3
)ri%e matter of e7tent for then it $ou+d 6e no
+on*er matter" No$( if understandin* 6e essentia+
to man( he is a thin5in* 6ein* 6' nature( as od is
od 6' nature"
If desirous to deJne od( as such )oor 6ein*s as
ourse+%es can deJne &im( I shou+d sa'( that thou*ht
is &is 6ein*( &is essence 4 6ut as to man :
We ha%e the facu+ties of thin5in*( $a+5in*( ta+53
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 282/453
; Phi+oso)hica+
in*( eatin*( and s+ee)in*( 6ut $e do not a+$a's use
these facu+ties( it is not in our nature"
Thou*ht( $ith us( is it not an attri6uteM and so
much an attri6ute that it is sometimes $ea5( some3
times stron*( sometimes reasona6+e( and sometimes
e7tra%a*antM It hides itse+f( sho$s itse+f( ies( re3
turns( is nothin*( is re)roduced" Essence is Huite
another thin* 4 it ne%er %aries 4 it 5no$s nothin* of
more or +ess"
What( therefore( $ou+d 6e the anima+ su))osed
6' Pasca+M A 6ein* of reason" &e mi*ht 9ust as
$e++ ha%e su))osed a tree to $hich od mi*ht ha%e
*i%en thou*ht( as it is said that the *ods *ranted
%oices to the trees of Dodona"
O)eration of od on 0an"
Peo)+e $ho ha%e founded s'stems on the commu3
nication of od $ith man ha%e said that od acts
direct+' )h'sica++' on man in certain cases on+'(
$hen od *rants certain )articu+ar *ifts 4 and the'
ha%e ca++ed this action #)h'sica+ )remotion"# Dio3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 283/453
c+es and Ero)hi+es( those t$o *reat enthusiasts(
maintain this o)inion( and ha%e )artisans"
No$ $e reco*ni1e a od Huite as $e++ as these
)eo)+e( 6ecause $e cannot concei%e that an' one of
the 6ein*s $hich surround us cou+d 6e )roduced of
itse+f" !' the fact a+one that somethin* f 7ists( the
necessar' Eterna+ !ein* must 6e necessari+' the
cause of a++" With these reasoners( $e admit the
)ossi6i+it' of od ma5in* himse+f understood to
Dictionar'" ;<
some fa%orites 4 6ut $e *o farther( $e 6e+ie%e that
&e ma5es &imse+f understood 6' a++ men( in a++
)+aces( and in a++ times( since to a++ he *i%es +ife( mo3
tion( di*estion( thou*ht( and instinct"
Is there in the %i+est of anima+s( and in the most
su6+ime )hi+oso)hers( a 6ein* $ho can $i++ motion(
di*estion( desire( +o%e( instinct( or thou*htM No4
6ut $e act( $e +o%e( $e ha%e instincts 4 as for e7am3
)+e( an in%inci6+e +i5in* to certain o69ects( an insu)3
)orta6+e a%ersion to others( a )rom)titude to e7e3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 284/453
cute the mo%ements necessar' to our )reser%ation(
as those of suc5in* the 6reasts of our nurses( s$im3
min* $hen $e are stron* and our 6osoms +ar*e
enou*h( 6itin* our 6read( drin5in*( stoo)in* to
a%oid a 6+o$ from a stone( co++ectin* our force to
c+ear a ditch( etc" We accom)+ish a thousand such
actions $ithout thin5in* of them( thou*h the' are
a++ )rofound+' mathematica+" In short( $e thin5
and fee+ $ithout 5no$in* ho$"
In *ood earnest( is it more di8cu+t for od to
$or5 a++ $ithin us 6' means of $hich $e are i*no3
rant( than to stir us interna++' sometimes( 6' the
e8cacious *race of .u)iter( of $hich these *ent+e3
men ta+5 to us unceasin*+'M
Where is the man $ho( $hen he +oo5s into him3
se+f( )ercei%es not that he is a )u))et of Pro%idence M
I thin5 6ut can I *i%e m'se+f a thou*ht M A+as : if
I thou*ht of m'se+f( I shou+d 5no$ $hat ideas I
mi*ht entertain the ne7t moment a thin* $hich
no6od' 5no$s"
;<= Phi+oso)hica+
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 285/453
I acHuire a 5no$+ed*e( 6ut I cou+d not *i%e it to
m'se+f" 0' inte++i*ence cannot 6e the cause of it 4
for the cause must contain the eect- No$( m' Jrst
acHuired 5no$+ed*e $as not in m' understandin*4
6ein* the Jrst( it $as *i%en to me 6' him $ho
formed me( and $ho *i%es a++( $hate%er it ma' 6e"
I am astonished( $hen I am to+d that m' Jrst
5no$+ed*e cannot a+one *i%e me a second4 that it
must contain it"
The )roof that $e *i%e ourse+%es no ideas is that
$e recei%e them in our dreams 4 and certain+'( it is
neither our $i++ nor attention $hich ma5es us thin5
in dreams" There are )oets $ho ma5e %erses s+ee)3
in*4 *eometricians $ho measure trian*+es" A++
)ro%es to us that there is a )o$er $hich acts $ithin
us $ithout consu+tin* us"
A++ our sentiments( are the' not in%o+untar'M
&earin*( taste( and si*ht are nothin* 6' them3
se+%es" We fee+( in s)ite of ourse+%es - $e do noth3
in* of ourse+%es- $e are nothin* $ithout a Su3
)reme Po$er $hich enacts a++ thin*s"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 286/453
The most su)erstitious a++o$ these truths( 6ut
the' a))+' them on+' to )eo)+e of their o$n c+ass"
The' a8rm that od acts )h'sica++' on certain
)ri%i+e*ed )ersons" We are more re+i*ious than
the'4 $e 6e+ie%e that the reat !ein* acts on a++
+i%in* thin*s( as on a++ matter" Is it therefore more
di8cu+t for &im to stir a++ men than to stir some of
them M Wi++ od 6e od for 'our +itt+e sect a+one M
&e is eHua++' so for me( $ho do not 6e+on* to it"
Dictionar'" ;<;
A ne$ )hi+oso)her *oes further than 'ou 4 it
seemed to him that od a+one e7ists" &e )retends
that $e are a++ in &im 4 and $e sa' that it is od
$ho sees and acts in a++ that has +ife" #.u)iter est
HuodcumHue %ides4 HuodcumHue mo%eris"#
To )roceed" ?our )h'sica+ )remotion introduces
od actin* in 'ou" What need ha%e 'ou then of a
sou+ M Of $hat *ood is this +itt+e un5no$n and in3
com)rehensi6+e 6ein*M Do 'ou *i%e a sou+ to the
sun( $hich en+i*htens so man' *+o6es M And if this
star so *reat( so astonishin*( and so necessar'( has
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 287/453
no sou+( $h' shou+d man ha%e oneM od $ho made
us( does &e not su8ce for usM What( therefore( is
6ecome of the a7iomM Eect not that 6' man'(
$hich can 6e accom)+ished 6' one"
This sou+( $hich 'ou ha%e ima*ined to 6e a su63
stance( is therefore rea++' on+' a facu+t'( *ranted 6'
the reat !ein*( and not 6' a )erson" It is a )ro)3
ert' *i%en to our or*ans( and not a su6stance" 0an(
his reason uncorru)ted 6' meta)h'sics( cou+d ne%er
ima*ine that he $as dou6+e 4 that he $as com)osed
of t$o 6ein*s( the one morta+( %isi6+e( and )a+)a6+e
the other immorta+( in%isi6+e( and im)a+)a6+e"
Wou+d it not reHuire a*es of contro%ers' to arri%e at
this e7)edient of 9oinin* to*ether t$o su6stances so
dissimi+ar 4 tan*i6+e and intan*i6+e( sim)+e and com3
)ound( in%u+nera6+e and suerin*( eterna+ and eet3
in*M
0en ha%e on+' su))osed a sou+ 6' the same
error $hich made them su))ose in us a 6ein* ca++ed
;< Phi+oso)hica+
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 288/453
memor'( $hich 6ein* the' after$ards made a
di%init'"
The' made this memor' the mother of the 0uses 4
the' em6odied the %arious ta+ents of nature in so
man' *oddesses( the dau*hters of memor'" The'
a+so made a *od of the secret )o$er 6' $hich na3
ture forms the 6+ood of anima+s(( and ca++ed it the
*od of san*uiJcation" The Roman )eo)+e indeed
had simi+ar *ods for the facu+ties of eatin* and
drin5in*( for the act of marria*e( for the act of
%oidin* e7crements" The' $ere so man' )articu+ar
sou+s( $hich )roduced in us a++ these actions" It
$as the meta)h'sics of the )o)u+ace" This shame3
fu+ and ridicu+ous su)erstition $as e%ident+' de3
ri%ed from that $hich ima*ined in man a sma++ di3
%ine su6stance( dierent from man himse+f"
This su6stance is sti++ admitted in a++ the schoo+s 4
and $ith condescension $e *rant to the reat !ein*(
to the Eterna+ 0a5er( to od( the )ermission of
9oinin* &is concurrence to the sou+" Thus $e su)3
)ose( that for $i++ and deed( 6oth od and our sou+s
are necessar'"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 289/453
!ut to concur si*niJes to aid( to )artici)ate" od
therefore is on+' second $ith us 4 it is de*radin*
&im 4 it is )uttin* &im on a +e%e+ $ith us( or ma53
in* &im )+a' the most inferior )art" Ta5e not from
&im &is ran5 and )re3eminence - ma5e ne of the
So%erei*n of Nature the mere ser%ant of man5ind"
T$o s)ecies of reasoners( $e++ credited in the
Dictionar'" ; <G
$or+d atheists and theo+o*ians $i++ o))ose our
dou6ts"
The atheists $i++ sa'( that in admittin* reason in
man and instinct in 6rutes( as )ro)erties( it is %er'
use+ess to admit a 3od into this s'stem 4 that od is
sti++ more incom)rehensi6+e than a sou+ 4 that it is
un$orth' a sa*e to 6e+ie%e that $hich he concei%es
not" The' +et ' a*ainst us a++ the ar*uments of
Straton and Lucretius" We $i++ ans$er them 6'
one $ord on+'- #?ou e7ist4 therefore there is a
od"#
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 290/453
Theo+o*ians $i++ *i%e us more trou6+e" The'
$i++ Jrst te++ us - #We a*ree $ith 'ou that od is
the Jrst cause of a++ 4 6ut &e is not the on+' one"#
A hi*h )riest of 0iner%a sa's e7)ress+' - #The
second a*ent o)erates 6' %irtue of the Jrst 4 the Jrst
induces a second 4 the second in%o+%es a third 4 a++
are actin* 6' %irtue of od( and &e is the cause of
a++ actions actin*"#
We $i++ ans$er( $ith a++ the res)ect $e o$e to
this hi*h )riest - #There is( and there can on+' e73
ist( one true cause" A++ the others( $hich are su6se3
Huent( are 6ut instruments" I disco%er a s)rin* I
ma5e use of it to mo%e a machine 4 I disco%ered the
s)rin* and made the machine" I am the so+e cause"
That is undou6ted"#
The hi*h )riest $i++ re)+' - #?ou ta5e +i6ert'
a$a' from men"# I re)+'- #Bo4 +i6ert' consists
in the facu+t' of $i++in*( and in that of doin* $hat
'ou $i++( $hen nothin* )re%ents 'ou" od has made
Vo+" ii ;G
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 291/453
;<Q Phi+oso)hica+
man u)on these conditions( and he must 6e con3
tented $ith them"#
0' )riest $i++ )ersist( and sa'( that $e ma5e od
the author of sin" Then $e sha++ ans$er him - #I
am sorr' for it 4 6ut od is made the author of sin
in a++ s'stems( e7ce)t in that of the atheists" For
if &e concurs $ith the actions of )er%erse men( as
$ith those of the 9ust( it is e%ident that to concur is
to do( since &e $ho concurs is a+so the creator
of a++"#
If od a+one )ermits sin( it is &e $ho commits
it 4 since to )ermit and to do is the same thin* to the
a6so+ute master of a++" If &e foresees that men $i++
do e%i+( he shou+d not form men" We ha%e ne%er
e+uded the force of these ancient ar*uments4 $e
ha%e ne%er $ea5ened them" Whoe%er has )roduced
a++( has certain+' )roduced *ood and e%i+" The s's3
tem of a6so+ute )redestination( the doctrine of con3
currence( eHua++' )+un*e us into this +a6'rinth(
from $hich $e cannot e7tricate ourse+%es"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 292/453
A++ that $e can sa' is( that e%i+ is for us( and not
for od" Nero assassinates his )rece)tor and his
mother 4 another murders his re+ations and nei*h3
6ors 4 a hi*h )riest )oisons( stran*+es( and 6eheads
t$ent' Roman +ords( on risin* from the 6ed of his
dau*hter" This is of no more im)ortance to the
!ein*( the /ni%ersa+ Sou+ of the Wor+d( Qhan shee)
eaten 6' the $o+%es or 6' us( or than ies de%oured
6' s)iders" There is no e%i+ for the reat !ein*4
to &im it is on+' the )+a' of the *reat machine $hich
Dictionar'" ;<
incessant+' mo%es 6' eterna+ +a$s" If the $ic5ed
6ecome $hether durin* their +i%es or su6seHuent+'
more unha))' than those $hom the' ha%e sacri3
Jced to their )assions 4 if the' suer as the' ha%e
made others suer( it is sti++ an ine%ita6+e conse3
Huence of the immuta6+e +a$s 6' $hich the reat
!ein* necessari+' acts" We 5no$ 6ut a %er' sma++
)art of these +a$s 4 $e ha%e 6ut a %er' $ea5 )ortion
of understandin*4 $e ha%e on+' resi*nation in our
)o$er" Of a++ s'stems( is not that $hich ma5es us
acHuainted $ith our insi*niJcance the most reason3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 293/453
a6+eM 0en as a++ )hi+oso)hers of antiHuit' ha%e
said made od in their o$n ima*e 4 $hich is the
reason $h' the Jrst Ana7a*oras( as ancient as Or3
)heus( e7)resses himse+f thus in his %erses - #If the
6irds J*ured to themse+%es a od( he $ou+d ha%e
$in*s 4 that of horses $ou+d run $ith four +e*s"#
The %u+*ar ima*ine od to 6e a 5in*( $ho ho+ds
his seat of 9ustice in his court" Tender hearts re)3
resent him as a father $ho ta5es care of his chi+3
dren" The sa*e attri6utes to &im no human af3
fection" &e ac5no$+ed*es a necessar' eterna+
)o$er $hich animates a++ nature( and resi*ns him3
se+f to it"
enera+ Reection on 0an"
It reHuires t$ent' 'ears to raise man from the
state of a )+ant( in $hich he a6ides in his mother2s
$om6( and from the )ure anima+ state( $hich is the
+ot of his ear+iest infanc'( to that in $hich the ma3
turit' of reason 6e*ins to da$n" &e has reHuired
; <> Phi+oso)hica+
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 294/453
thirt' a*es to 6ecome a +itt+e acHuainted $ith his
o$n 6odi+' structure" &e $ou+d reHuire eternit'
to 6ecome acHuainted $ith his sou+" &e reHuires 6ut
an instant to 5i++ himse+f"
0ARRIAE"
SECTION I"
I ONCE met $ith a reasoner $ho said - #Induce
'our su69ects to marr' as ear+' as )ossi6+e" Let
them 6e e7em)t from ta7es the Jrst 'ear4 and +et
their )ortion 6e assessed on those $ho at the same
a*e are in a state of ce+i6ac'"
#The more married men 'ou ha%e( the fe$er
crimes there $i++ 6e" E7amine the fri*htfu+ co+3
umns of 'our crimina+ ca+endars 4 'ou $i++ there Jnd
a hundred 'ouths e7ecuted for one father of a
fami+'"
#0arria*e renders men more %irtuous and more
$ise" The father of a fami+' is not $i++in* to 6+ush
6efore his chi+dren 4 he is afraid to ma5e shame their
inheritance"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 295/453
#Let 'our so+diers marr'( and the' $i++ no +on*er
desert" !ound to their fami+ies( the' $i++ 6e 6ound
to their countr'" An unmarried so+dier is fre3
Huent+' nothin* 6ut a %a*a6ond( to $hom it mat3
ters not $hether he ser%es the 5in* of Na)+es or
the 5in* of 0orocco"#
The Roman $arriors $ere married - the' fou*ht
for their $i%es and their chi+dren4 and the' made
Dictionar'" ;<
s+a%es of the $i%es and the chi+dren of other
nations"
A *reat Ita+ian )o+itician( $ho $as( 6esides(
+earned in the Eastern ton*ues( a thin* rare amon*
our )o+iticians( said to me in m' 'outh- #Caro
J*+io(# remem6er thaf the .e$s ne%er had 6ut one
*ood institution that of a6horrin* %ir*init'" If
that +itt+e nation of su)erstitious 9o66ers had not re3
*arded marria*e as the Jrst of the human o6+i*ations
if there had 6een amon* them con%ents of nuns
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 296/453
the' $ou+d ha%e 6een ine%ita6+' +ost"#
The 0arria*e Contract"
0arria*e is a contract in the +a$ of nations( of
$hich the Roman Catho+ics ha%e made a sacrament"
!ut the sacrament and the contract are t$o %er'
dierent thin*s 4 $ith the one are connected the ci%i+
eects( $ith the other the *races of the church"
So $hen the contract is conforma6+e to the +a$
of nations( it must )roduce e%er' ci%i+ eect" The
a6sence of the sacrament can o)erate on+' in the )ri3
%ation of s)iritua+ *races"
Such has 6een the 9uris)rudence of a++ a*es( and
of a++ nations( e7ce)tin* the French" Such $as the
o)inion of the most accredited fathers of the
Church" o throu*h the Theodosian and .ustinian
codes( and 'ou $i++ Jnd no +a$ )roscri6in* the mar3
ria*es of )ersons of another creed( not e%en $hen
contracted 6et$een them and Catho+ics"
It is true( that Constantius that son of Con3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 297/453
;< Phi+oso)hica+
stantine as crue+ as his father for6ade the .e$s(
on )ain of death( to marr' Christian $omen4 and
that Va+entinian( Theodosius( and Arcadius made
the same )rohi6ition( under the +i5e )ena+t'( to the
.e$ish $omen" !ut under the em)eror 0arcian
these +a$s had ceased to 6e o6ser%ed 4 and .ustinian
re9ected them from his code" !esides( the' $ere
made a*ainst the .e$s on+'4 no one e%er thou*ht
of a))+'in* them to the marria*e of )a*ans or her3
etics $ith the fo++o$ers of the )re%ai+in* re+i*ion"
Consu+t St" Au*ustine( and he $i++ te++ 'ou that
in his time the marria*es of 6e+ie%ers $ith un6e3
+ie%ers $ere not considered i++icit( 6ecause no *os)e+
te7t had condemned them- #ua matrimonia cum
in Jde+i6us( nostris tem)ori6us( 9am non )utantur
esse )eccata4 Huoniam in No%o Testamento nihi+
inde )rece)tum est( et idea aut +ie ere creditum est(
aut re+ut du6ium dere+ictum"#
Au*ustine sa's( moreo%er( that these marria*es
often $or5 the con%ersion of the un6e+ie%in* )art'"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 298/453
&e" cites the e7am)+e of his o$n father( $ho em3
6raced the Christian re+i*ion 6ecause his $ife( 0an3
ica( )rofessed Christianit'" C+oti+da( 6' the con%er3
sion of C+o%is( and Theo+inda( 6' that of A*i+u+f(
5in* of the Lom6ards( rendered *reater ser%ice to
the Church than if the' had married orthodo7
)rinces"
Consu+t the dec+aration of Po)e !enedict BIV"
of No%" Q( ;Q;" ?ou $i++ Jnd in it these $ords-
#uod %ero s)ecia+ ad ea con9u*ia Hua( a6sHue
Dictionar'" ; <<
forma a Tridentino statuta( contrahuntur a catho+icis
cum hcereticis( si%e catho+icus %ir hariticam feminam
ducat( si%e catho+ica famina heretico %iro nu6at4 si
hu9usmodi matrimonium sit contractua+ aut in )os3
terum contracts contin*at( Tridentini forma non ser3
%ata( dec+arat Sanctitas sua( a+io non concurrente
im)edimenta( %a+idum ha6endum esse( sciat con9u7
catho+icus se istius matrimonii %incu+o )er)etuo +i3
*atum"# #With res)ect to such marria*es as( trans3
*ressin* the enactment of the Counci+ of Trent( are
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 299/453
contracted 6' Catho+ics $ith heretics 4 $hether 6'
a Catho+ic man $ith a heretica+ $oman( or 6' a Cath3
o+ic $oman $ith a heretica+ man4 if such matri3
mon' a+read' is( or hereafter sha++ 6e contracted( the
ru+es of the counci+ not 6ein* o6ser%ed( his ho+iness
dec+ares( that if there 6e no other im)ediment( it
sha++ 6e he+d %a+id( the Catho+ic man or $oman un3
derstandin* that he or she is 6' such matrimon'
6ound unti+ death"#
!' $hat astonishin* contradiction is it( that the
French +a$s in this matter are more se%ere than
those of the ChurchM The Jrst +a$ 6' $hich this
se%erit' $as esta6+ished in France $as the edict of
Louis BIV"( of No%em6er( ;>=( $hich deser%es to
6e re)eated"
#Louis( """" The canons of the counci+s ha%in*
for6idden marria*es of Catho+ics $ith heretics( as a
)u6+ic scanda+ and a )rofanation of the sacrament(
$e ha%e deemed it the more necessar' to )re%ent
them for the future( as $e ha%e found that the to+3
OO Phi+oso)hica+
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 300/453
eration of such marria*es e7)oses Catho+ics to the
continua+ tem)tation of )er%ertin* it( etc" For
these causes( """" it is our $i++ and )+easure(
that in future our su69ects of the Roman Catho+ic
and A)osto+ic re+i*ion ma' not( under an' )rete7t
$hatsoe%er( contract marria*e $ith those of the )re3
tended reformed re+i*ion( dec+arin* such marria*es
to 6e in%a+id( and the issue of them i++e*itimate"#
It is sin*u+ar enou*h( that the +a$s of the Church
shou+d ha%e 6een made the foundation for annu++in*
marria*es $hich the Church ne%er annu++ed" In this
edict $e Jnd the sacrament confounded $ith the
ci%i+ contract4 and from this confusion ha%e )ro3
ceeded the stran*e +a$s in France concernin* mar3
ria*e"
St" Au*ustine a))ro%ed marria*es of the ortho3
do7 $ith heretics( for he ho)ed that the faithfu+
s)ouse $ou+d con%ert the other4 and Louis BIV"
condemns them( +est he heterodo7 shou+d )er%ert
the 6e+ie%er"
In Franche3Comte there e7ists a 'et more crue+
+a$" This is an edict of the archdu5e A+6ert and his
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 301/453
$ife Isa6e++a( of Dec" =( ;<<( $hich for6ids Catho3
+ics to marr' heretics( on )ain of conJscation of
6od' and *oods"
The same edict )ronounces the same )ena+t' on
such as sha++ 6e con%icted of eatin* mutton( on Fri3
da' or Saturda'" What +a$s : and $hat +a$3*i%3
ers : #A Hue+s maitres( *rand Dieu( +i%res3%ous
I2uni%ers:#
Dictionar'" =;
SECTION II"
If our +a$s re)ro%e marria*es of Catho+ics $ith
)ersons of a dierent re+i*ion( do the' *rant the
ci%i+ eects at +east to marria*es of French Protest3
ants $ith French )ersons of the same sect M
There are no$ in the 5in*dom a mi++ion of
Protestants 4 'et the %a+idit' of their marria*e is
sti++ a Huestion in the tri6una+s"
&ere a*ain is one of those cases in $hich our
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 302/453
9uris)rudence is contradictor' to the decisions of
the Church( and a+so to itse+f"
In the )a)a+ dec+aration( Huoted in the fore*oin*
section( !enedict BIV" decides that marria*es of
Protestants( contracted accordin* to their rites( are
no +ess %a+id than if the' had 6een )erformed ac3
cordin* to the forms esta6+ished 6' the Counci+ of
Trent4 and that a hus6and $ho turns Catho+ic
cannot 6rea5 this tie and form a ne$ one $ith a
)erson of his ne$ re+i*ion"
!ara5 Le%i( 6' 6irth a .e$( and a nati%e of
&a*uenan( had there married 0ende+ Cerf( of the
same to$n and the same re+i*ion"
This .e$ came to Paris in ;4 and on 0a'
;G( ;Q( he $as 6a)ti1ed" &e sent a summons to
his $ife at &a*uenan to come and 9oin him at Paris"
In a second summons he consented that this $ife(
$hen she had come to 9oin him( shou+d continue to
+i%e in her o$n .e$ish sect"
To these summonses 0ende+ Cerf re)+ied that
she $ou+d not return $ith him( and that she re3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 303/453
O Phi+oso)hica+
Huired him to send her( accordin* to the .e$ish
forms( a 6i++ of di%orce( in order that she mi*ht
marr' another .e$"
Le%i $as not satisJed $ith this ans$er 4 he sent
no 6i++ of di%orce 4 6ut he caused his $ife to a))ear
6efore the o8cia+ of Stras6ur*( $ho( 6' a sentence
of Se)t" ( ;Q( dec+ared that( in the si*ht of the
Church( he $as at +i6ert' to marr' a Catho+ic
$oman"
Furnished $ith this sentence( the Christiani1ed
.e$ came into the diocese of Soissons( and there
made )romise of marria*e to a 'oun* $oman of
Vi++eneu%e" The c+er*'man refused to )u6+ish
the 6anns" Le%i communicated to him the sum3
monses he had sent to his $ife( the sentence
of the o8cia+ of Stras6ur*( and a certiJcate from
the secretar' of the 6isho)ric of that )+ace( attestin*(
that in that diocese 6a)ti1ed .e$s had at a++ times
6een )ermitted to contract ne$ marria*es $ith
Catho+ics( and that this usa*e had constant+' 6een
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 304/453
reco*ni1ed 6' the Su)reme Counci+ of Co+mar"
!ut these documents a))eared to the )arson of Vi+3
+eneu%e to 6e insu8cient" Le%i $as o6+i*ed to sum3
mon him 6efore the o8cia+ of Soissons"
This o8cia+ did not thin5( +i5e him of Stras6ur*(
that the marria*e of Le%i $ith 0ende+ Cerf $as
nu++ or disso+u6+e" !' his sentence of Fe6 A ( ;>(
he dec+ared the .e$2s c+aim to 6e inadmissi6+e" The
+atter a))ea+ed from this sentence to the Par+ia3
ment of Paris( $here he $as not on+' o))osed 6'
Dictionar'" =G
the )u6+ic ministr'( 6ut( 6' a decree of .an" ( ;(
the sentence $as conJrmed( and Le%i $as a*ain
for6idden to contract an' marria*e durin* the +ife
of 0ende+ Cerf"
&ere( then( a marria*e contracted 6et$een
French .e$s( accordin* to the .e$ish rites( $as
dec+ared %a+id 6' the Jrst court in the 5in*dom"
!ut( some 'ears after$ards( the same Huestion
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 305/453
$as decided dierent+' in another )ar+iament( on
the su69ect of a marria*e contracted 6et$een t$o
French Protestants( $ho had 6een married in the
)resence of their )arents 6' a minister of their o$n
communion" The Protestant s)ouse had( +i5e the
.e$( chan*ed his re+i*ion4 and after he had con3
c+uded a second marria*e $ith a Catho+ic( the Par3
+iament of reno6+e conJrmed this second mar3
ria*e( and dec+ared the Jrst to 6e nu++"
If $e )ass from 9uris)rudence to +e*is+ation( $e
sha++ Jnd it as o6scure on this im)ortant matter as
on so man' others"
A decree of the counci+( of Se)t" ;( ;>( sa's-
#Protestants ma' marr'( )ro%ided( ho$e%er( that it
6e in the )resence of the )rinci)a+ o8cer of 9ustice(
and that the )u6+ication )recedin* such marria*es
sha++ 6e made at the ro'a+ see nearest the )+ace of
a6ode of each of the Protestants desirous of marr'3
in*( and at the audience on+'"#
This decree $as not re%o5ed 6' the edict $hich(
three $ee5s after( su))ressed the Edict of Nantes"
!ut after the dec+aration of 0a' ;Q( ;Q( dra$n
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 306/453
=Q Phi+oso)hica+
u) 6' Cardina+ F+eur'( the 9ud*es $ou+d no +on*er
)reside o%er the marria*es of Protestants( nor )er3
mit their 6anns to 6e )u6+ished in their audiences"
!' Artic+e BV" of this +a$( the forms )rescri6ed
6' the canons are to 6e o6ser%ed in marria*es( as
$e++ of ne$ con%erts as of a++ the rest of the 5in*2s
su69ects"
This *enera+ e7)ression( #a++ the rest of the
5in*2s su69ects(# has 6een thou*ht to com)rehend
the Protestants( as $e++ as the Catho+ics( and on
this inter)retation( such marria*es of Protestants
as $ere not so+emni1ed accordin* to the canonica+
forms ha%e 6een annu++ed"
Ne%erthe+ess( it seems that the marria*es of
Protestants ha%in* 6een authori1ed 6' an e7)ress
+a$( the' cannot no$ 6e admitted 6ut 6' another
e7)ress +a$ carr'in* $ith it this )ena+t'" !esides(
the term #ne$ con%erts(# mentioned in the dec+ara3
tion( a))ears to indicate that the term that fo++o$s
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 307/453
re+ates to the Catho+ics on+'" In short( $hen the
ci%i+ +a$ is o6scure or am6i*uous( ou*ht not the
9ud*es to decide accordin* to the natura+ and the
mora+ +a$ M
Does it not resu+t from a++ this that +a$s often
ha%e need of reformation( and )rinces of consu+tin*
6etter informed counse++ors( re9ectin* )riest+' min3
isters( and distrustin* courtiers in the *ar6 of con3
fessors M
Dictionar'" =
0AR? 0ADALEN"
I 0/ST o$n that I 5no$ not $here the author
uf the #Critica+ &istor' of .esus Christ# found
that #St" 0ar' 0a*da+en had a crimina+ intimac'
des com)+aisances crimine++es $ith the Sa%iour
of the $or+d"# &e sa's )a*e ;G=( +ine n of the
note that this is an assertion of the A+6i*enses"
I ha%e ne%er read this horri6+e 6+as)hem' either in
the histor' of the A+6i*enses( or in their )rofession
of faith" It is one of the *reat man' thin*s of
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 308/453
$hich I am i*norant" I 5no$ that the A+6i*enses
had the dire misfortune of not 6ein* Roman Catho3
+ics 4 6ut( other$ise( it seems to me( the' had the
most )rofound re%erence for the )erson of .esus"
This author of the #Critica+ &istor' of .esus
Christ# refers us to the #Christiade# a sort of
)oem in )rose *rantin* that there are such thin*s
as )oems in )rose" I ha%e( therefore( 6een o6+i*ed
to consu+t the )assa*e of the #Christiade# in
$hich this accusation is made" It is in the fourth
6oo5 or canto( )a*e GG( note I 4 the )oet of the
#Christiade# cites no authorit'" In an e)ic )oem(
indeed( citations ma' 6e s)ared 4 6ut *reat au3
thorities are reHuisite in )rose( $hen so *ra%e an
assertion is made one $hich ma5es e%er' Chris3
tian2s hair stand erect"
Whether the A+6i*enses ad%anced this im)iet'
or not( the on+' resu+t is that the author of the
#Christiade# s)orts on the 6rin5 of crimina+it'" &e
=> Phi+oso)hica+
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 309/453
some$hat imitates the famous sermon of 0enot"
&e introduces us to 0ar' 0a*da+en( the sister of
0artha and La1arus( 6ri++iant $ith a++ the charms
of 'outh and 6eaut'( 6urnin* $ith e%er' desire( and
immersed in e%er' %o+u)tuousness" Accordin* to
him( she is a +ad' at court( e7a+ted in 6irth and in
riches 4 her 6rother La1arus $as count of !ethan'(
and herse+f marchioness of 0a*da+et" 0artha had
a s)+endid )ortion( 6ut he does not te++ us $here
her estates +a'" #She had(# sa's the man of the
#Christiade(# #a hundred ser%ants( and a cro$d of
+o%ers 4 she mi*ht ha%e threatened the +i6ert' of the
$ho+e $or+d" !ut riches( di*nities( am6itions( *ran3
deur( ne%er $ere so dear to 0a*da+en as the seduc3
ti%e error $hich caused her to 6e named the sinner"
Such $as the so%erei*n 6eaut' of the ca)ita+ $hen
the 'oun* and di%ine hero arri%ed there from the
e7tremities of a+i+ee" &er other )assions 'ie+ded
to the am6ition of su6duin* the hero of $hom she
had heard"#
The author of the #Christiade# then imitates
Vir*i+" The marchioness of 0a*da+et con9ures her
)ortioned sister to furnish her coHuettish desi*ns
u)on her 'oun* hero( as Dido em)+o'ed her sister
Anna to *ain the )ious .Eneas"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 310/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 311/453
the hair of a 'oun* and 6eautifu+ s+a%e" &e must
himse+f ha%e fe+t that his )ictures mi*ht 6e fancied
too *+o$in*4 for he antici)ates criticism 6' *i%in*
some )ieces from a sermon of 0assi++on2s on 0a*3
da+en" One )assa*e is as fo++o$s -
#0a*da+en had sacriJced her re)utation to the
$or+d" &er 6ashfu+ness and her 6irth at Jrst de3
fended her a*ainst the emotions of her )assion4
and it is most +i5e+'( that to the Jrst shaft $hich
assai+ed her( she o))osed the 6arrier of her modest'
and her )ride 4 6ut $hen she had +ent her ear to
the ser)ent( and consu+ted her o$n $isdom( her
heart $as o)en to a++ assau+ts of )assion" 0a*da+en
+o%ed the $or+d( and thencefor$ard a++ $as sacri3
Jced to this +o%e 4 neither the )ride that s)rin*s
from 6irth( nor the modest' $hich is the ornament
= Phi+oso)hica+
of her se7( is s)ared in this sacriJce 4 nothin* can
$ithho+d her4 neither the rai++eries of $or+d+in*s(
nor the inJde+ities of her infatuated +o%ers( $hom
she fain $ou+d )+ease( 6ut 6' $hom she cannot
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 312/453
ma5e herse+f esteemed for %irtue on+' is estima6+e 4
nothin* can ma5e her ashamed 4 and +i5e the )rosti3
tute in the #A)oca+')se(# she 6ears on her forehead
the name of m'ster' 4 that is( she $as %ei+ed( and
$as no +on*er 5no$n 6ut in the character of the
foo+ish )assion"#
I ha%e sou*ht this )assa*e in 0assi++on2s ser3
mons( 6ut it certain+' is not in the edition $hich I
)ossess" I $i++ %enture to sa' more it is not in
his st'+e"
The author of the #Christiade# shou+d ha%e in3
formed us $here he )ic5ed u) this rha)sod' of
0assi++on2s( as he shou+d ha%e to+d us $here he
read that the A+6i*enses dared to im)ute to .esus
Christ an un$orth' intercourse $ith 0ar' 0a*3
da+en"
As for the marchioness( she is not a*ain men3
tioned in the $or5" The author s)ares us her
%o'a*e to 0arsei++es $ith La1arus( and the rest of
her ad%entures"
What cou+d induce a man of +earnin*( and some3
times of e+oHuence( as the author of the #Christiade#
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 313/453
a))ears to 6e( to com)ose this )retended 9oem M
It $as( as he te++s us in his )reface( the e7am)+e
of 0i+ton 4 6ut $e $e++ 5no$ ho$ deceitfu+ are
e7am)+es" 0i+ton( $ho 6e it o6ser%ed did not
Dictionar'" =<
ha1ard that $ea5+' monstrosit'( a )oem in )rose
0i+ton( $ho in his #Paradise Lost(# has( amid the
mu+titude of harsh and o6scure +ines of $hich it is
fu++( scattered some %er' Jne 6+an5 %erse cou+d
not )+ease an' 6ut fanatica+ Whi*s( as the A66e
recourt sa's -
En chantant runi%ers )erdu )our une )omme(
Rt Dieu )our +e damner creant +e )remier homme"
!' sin*in*
&o$ od made man on )ur)ose for he++3Jre(
And ho$ a sto+en a))+e damned us a++"
&e mi*ht de+i*ht the Pres6'terians 6' ma5in*
Sin coha6it $ith Death4 6' Jrin* o t$ent'3four
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 314/453
)ounders in hea%en 4 6' ma5in* dr'ness J*ht $ith
dam)( and heat $ith co+d 4 6' c+ea%in* an*e+s in
t$o( $hose ha+%es immediate+' 9oined a*ain 4 6'
6ui+din* a 6rid*e o%er chaos 4 6' re)resentin* the
0essiah ta5in* from a chest in hea%en a *reat )air
of com)asses to descri6e the circuit of the earth(
etc" Vir*i+ and &orace $ou+d( )erha)s( ha%e
thou*ht these ideas rather stran*e" !ut if the'
succeeded in En*+and 6' the aid of some %er'
ha))' +ines( the author of the #Christiade# $as
mista5en in e7)ectin* his romance to succeed $ith3
out the assistance of Jne %erses( $hich are indeed
%er' di8cu+t to ma5e"
!ut( sa's our author( one .erome Vida( 6isho)
of A+6a( once $rote a %er' )o$erfu+ Christiade
in Latin %erse( in $hich he transcri6es man' +ines
from Vir*i+" We++( m' friend( $h' did 'ou $rite
Vo+" ii ;Q
io Phi+oso)hica+
'ours in French )roseM Wh' did not 'ou( too(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 315/453
imitate Vir*i+M
!ut the +ate 0" d2Escor6iac( of Tou+ouse( a+so
$rote a Christiade" A+as : $h' $ere 'ou so un3
fortunate as to 6ecome the a)e of 0" d2Escor6iacM
!ut 0i+ton( too( $rote his romance of the Ne$
Testament( his #Paradise Re*ained(# in 6+an5 %erse(
freHuent+' resem6+in* the $orst )rose" Lea%e it(
then( to 0i+ton to set Satan and .esus constant+'
at $ar" Let it 6e his to cause a dro%e of s$ine to
6e dri%en a+on* 6' a +e*ion of de%i+s4 that is( 6'
si7 thousand se%en hundred( $ho ta5e )ossession of
these s$ine there 6ein* three de%i+s and se%en3
t$entieths )er )i* and dro$n them in a +a5e" It
$e++ 6ecomes 0i+ton to ma5e the de%i+ )ro)ose to
od that the' sha++ ta5e a *ood su))er to*ether"
In 0i+ton( the de%i+ ma' at his ease co%er the ta6+e
$ith orto+ans( )artrid*es( so+es( stur*eons( and
ma5e &e6e and an'mede hand $ine to .esus
Christ" In 0i+ton( the de%i+ ma' ta5e od u) a
+itt+e hi++( from the to) of $hich he sho$s him the
ca)ita+( the 0o+ucca Is+ands( and the Indian cit'4
the 6irth)+ace of the 6eauteous An*e+ica( $ho
turned Or+ando2s 6rain 4 after $hich he ma' oer
to od a++ this( )ro%ided that od $i++ adore him"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 316/453
!ut e%en 0i+ton +a6ored in %ain 4 )eo)+e ha%e
+au*hed at him" The' ha%e +au*hed at )oof" 6rother
!erru'er( the .esuit" The' ha%e +au*hed at 'ou"
!ear it $ith )atience :
Dictionar'" ; ;
0ART?RS"
SECTION I"
0ART?R( #$itness#4 mart'rdom( testimon'"
The ear+' Christian communit' at Jrst *a%e the
name of #mart'rs# to those $ho announced ne$
truths to man5ind( $ho *a%e testimon' to .esus4
$ho confessed .esus 4 in the same manner as the'
*a%e the name of #saints# to the )res6'ters( to
the su)er%isors of the communit'( and to their
fema+e 6enefactors4 this is the reason $h' St"
.erome( in his +etters( often ca++s his initiated Pau+(
St" Pau+" A++ the Jrst 6isho)s $ere ca++ed saints"
Su6seHuent+'( the name of mart'rs $as *i%en
on+' to deceased Christians( or to those $ho had
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 317/453
6een tortured for )unishment 4 and the +itt+e cha)e+s
that $ere erected to them recei%ed after$ards the
name of #mart'rion"#
It is a *reat Huestion( $h' the Roman Em)ire
a+$a's to+erated in its 6osom the .e$ish sect( e%en
after the t$o horri6+e $ars of Titus and Adrian 4
$h' it to+erated the $ors+ii) of Isis at se%era+ times 4
and $h' it freHuent+' )ersecuted Christianit'" It
is e%ident that the .e$s( $ho )aid dear+' for their
s'na*o*ues( denounced the Christians as morta+
foes( and e7cited the )eo)+e a*ainst them" It is
moreo%er e%ident that the .e$s( occu)ied $ith
the trade of 6ro5ers and usurers( did not )reach
a*ainst the ancient re+i*ion of the em)ire( and that
the Christians( $ho $ere a++ 6us' in contro%ers'(
; Phi+oso)hica+
)reached a*ainst the )u6+ic $orshi)( sou*ht to de3
stro' it( often 6urned the tem)+es( and 6ro5e the
consecrated statues( as St" Theodosius did at
Amasia( and St" Po+'euctus in 0it'+ene"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 318/453
The orthodo7 Christians( sure that their re+i*ion
$as the on+' true one( did not to+erate an' other,"
In conseHuence( the' themse+%es $ere hard+' to+er3
ated" Some of them $ere )unished and died for
the faith and these $ere the mart'rs"
This name is so res)ecta6+e that it shou+d not 6e
)rodi*a++' 6esto$ed4 it is not ri*ht to assume the
name and arms of a fami+' to $hich one does not
6e+on*" Ver' hea%' )ena+ties ha%e 6een esta6+ished
a*ainst those $ho ha%e the audacit' to decorate
themse+%es $ith the cross of 0a+ta or of St" Louis(
$ithout 6ein* che%a+iers of those orders"
The +earned Dod$e++( the de7terous 0idd+eton(
the 9udicious !+onde+( the e7act Ti++emont( the
scrutini1in* Launo'( and man' others( a++ 1ea+ous
for the *+or' of the true mart'rs( ha%e e7c+uded
from their cata+o*ue an o6scure mu+titude on $hom
this *reat tit+e had 6een 2+a%ished" We ha%e re3
mar5ed that these +earned men $ere sanctioned 6'
the direct ac5no$+ed*ment of Ori*en( $ho( in his
#Refutation of Ce+sus(# confesses that there are
%er' fe$ mart'rs( and those at a *reat distance of
time( and that it is eas' to rec5on them" 3"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 319/453
Ne%erthe+ess( the !enedictine Ruinart $ho ca++s
himse+f Don Ruinart( a+thou*h he $as no S)an3
iard has contradicted a++ these +earned )ersons:
Dictionar'" ;G
&e has candid+' *i%en us man' stories of mart'rs
$hich ha%e a))eared to the critics %er' sus)icious"
0an' sensi6+e )ersons ha%e dou6ted %arious anec3
dotes re+atin* to the +e*ends recounted 6' Don
Ruinart( from 6e*innin* to end"
I" Of Saint S'm)horosia and her Se%en Chi+dren"
Their scru)+es commence $ith St" S'm)horosia
and her se%en chi+dren $ho suered mart'rdom
$ith her4 $hich a))ears( at Jrst si*ht( too much
imitated from the se%en 0acca6ees" It is not
5no$n $hence this +e*end comes4 and that is at
once a *reat cause of s5e)ticism"
It is therein re+ated that the em)eror Adrian
himse+f $ished to interro*ate the un5no$n S'm3
)horosia( to ascertain if she $as a Christian" This
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 320/453
$ou+d ha%e 6een more e7traordinar' than if Louis
BIV" had su69ected a &u*uenot to an interro*a3
tor'" ?ou $i++ further o6ser%e that Adrian( far
from 6ein* a )ersecutor of the Christians( $as their
*reatest )rotector"
&e had then a +on* con%ersation $ith S'm3
)horosia( and )uttin* himse+f in a )assion( he said
to her - #I $i++ sacriJce 'ou to the *ods# 4 as if the
Roman em)erors sacriJced $omen in their de%o3
tions" In the seHue+( he caused her to 6e thro$n
into the Anio $hich $as not a usua+ mode of
immo+ation" &e after$ards had one of her sons
c+o%en in t$o from the to) of his head to his mid3
d+e 4 3a second from side to side 4 a third $as 6ro5en
; ; Q Phi+oso)hica+
on the $hee+4 a fourth $as on+' sta66ed in the
stomach 4 a Jfth ri*ht to the heart 4 a si7th had his
throat cut 4 the se%enth died of a )arce+ of need+es
thrust into his 6reast" The em)eror Adrian $as
fond of %ariet'" &e commanded that the' shou+d
6e 6uried near the tem)+e of &ercu+es a+thou*h no
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 321/453
one is e%er 6uried in Rome( much +ess near the tem3
)+es( $hich $ou+d ha%e 6een a horri6+e )rofanation"
The +e*end adds that the chief )riest of the tem)+e
named the )+ace of their interment #the Se%en !io3
tanates"#
If it $as e7traordinar' that a monument shou+d
6e erected at Rome to )ersons thus treated( it $as
no +ess so that a hi*h )riest shou+d concern him3
se+f $ith the inscri)tion4 and further( that this
Roman )riest shou+d ma5e a ree5 e)ita)h for
them" !ut $hat is sti++ more stran*e is that it is
)retended that this $ord #6iotanates# si*niJes the
se%en tortured" #!iotanates# is a fa6ricated $ord(
$hich one does not meet $ith in an' author4
and this si*niJcation can on+' 6e *i%en to it 6' a
)+a' u)on $ords( fa+se+' usin* the $ord #thenon"#
There is scarce+' an' fa6+e $orse constructed" The
$riters of +e*ends 5ne$ ho$ to +ie( 6ut none of
them 5ne$ ho$ to +ie s5i+fu++'"
The +earned Lacro1e( +i6rarian to Frederic5 the
reat( 5in* of Prussia( o6ser%ed- #I 5no$ not
$hether Ruinart is sincere( 6ut I am afraid he is
si++'"#
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 322/453
Dictionar'" ;
" Of St" Fe+icita and Se%en 0ore Chi+dren"
It is from Surius that this +e*end is ta5en" This
Surius is rather notorious for his a6surdities" &e
$as a mon5 of the si7teenth centur'( $ho $rites
a6out the mart'rs of the second as if he had 6een
)resent"
&e )retends that that $ic5ed man( that t'rant(
0arcus Aure+ius Antoninus Pius( ordered the )re3
fect of Rome to institute a )rocess a*ainst St"
Fe+icita( to ha%e her and her se%en chi+dren )ut to
death( 6ecause there $as a rumor that she $as a
Christian"
The )refect he+d his tri6una+ in the Cam)us
0artius( $hich( ho$e%er( $as at that time used
on+' for the re%ie$in* of troo)s 4 and the Jrst thin*
the )refect did $as to cause a 6+o$ to 6e *i%en her
in fu++ assem6+'"
The +on* discourses of the ma*istrates and the
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 323/453
accused are $orth' of the historian" &e Jnishes 6'
)uttin* the se%en 6rothers to death 6' dierent )un3
ishments( +i5e the se%en chi+dren of St" S'm)hor3
osia" This is on+' a du)+icate aair" !ut as for St"
Fe+icita( he +ea%es her there( and does not sa'
another $ord a6out her"
" Of Saint Po+'car)"
Euse6ius re+ates that St" Po+'car)( 6ein* in3
formed in a dream that he shou+d 6e 6urned in three
da's( made it 5no$n to his friends" The +e*end3
ma5er adds that the +ieutenant of )o+ice at Sm'rna(
; > Phi+oso)hica+
$hose name $as &erodius( had him sei1ed 6' his
archers 4 that he $as a6andoned to the $i+d 6easts
in the am)hitheatre4 that the s5' o)ened( and a
hea%en+' %oice cried to him - #!e of *ood coura*e(
Po+'car)#4 that the hour of +ettin* +oose the +ions
in the am)hitheatre ha%in* )assed( the )eo)+e $ent
a6out co++ectin* $ood from a++ the houses to 6urn
him $ith4 that the saint addressed himse+f to the
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 324/453
od of the #archan*e+s# a+thou*h the $ord arch3
an*e+ $as not then 5no$n that the ames formed
themse+%es round him into a trium)ha+ arch $ithout
touchin* him 4 that his 6od' had the sme++ of 6a5ed
6read 4 6ut that( ha%in* resisted the Jre( he cou+d not
)reser%e himse+f a*ainst a sa6re3cut 4 that his 6+ood
)ut out the 6urnin* )i+e( and that there s)run* from
it a do%e $hich e$ strai*ht to hea%en" To $hich
)+anet is not )recise+' 5no$n"
Q" Of Saint Pto+omais"
We fo++o$ the order of Don Ruinart4 6ut $e
ha%e no $ish to ca++ in Huestion the mart'rdom of
St" Pto+omais( $hich is e7tracted from #St" .ustin2s
A)o+o*'"#
We cou+d ma5e some di8cu+ties $ith re*ard to
the $oman $ho $as accused 6' her hus6and of
6ein* a Christian( and $ho 6aed him 6' *i%in*
him a 6i++ of di%orce" We mi*ht as5 $h'( in this
histor'( there is no further mention of this 3$omanM
We mi*ht ma5e it manifest that in the time of
0arcus Aure+ius( $omen $ere not )ermitted to de3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 325/453
Dictionar'" ;
mand di%orces of their hus6ands 4 that this )ermis3
sion $as on+' *ranted them under the em)eror
.u+ian 4 and that this so much re)eated stor' of the
Christian $oman $ho re)udiated her hus6and
$hi+e no )a*an $ou+d ha%e dared to ima*ine such
a thin* cannot $e++ 6e other than a fa6+e" !ut
$e do not desire to raise un)+easant dis)utes" As
for the +itt+e )ro6a6i+it' there is in the com)i+ation
of Don Ruinart( $e ha%e too much res)ect for the
su69ect he treats of to start o69ections"
We ha%e not made an' to the #Letter of the
Churches of Vienna and L'ons(# 6ecause there is
sti++ a *reat dea+ of o6scurit' connected $ith it 4 6ut
$e sha++ 6e )ardoned for defendin* the memor' of
the *reat 0arcus Aure+ius( thus outra*ed in the +ife
of #St" S'm)horian of Autun(# $ho $as )ro6a6+'
a re+ation of St" S'm)horosia"
" Of St" S'm)horian of Autun"
This +e*end( the author of $hich is un5no$n( 6e3
*ins thus - #The em)eror 0arcus Aure+ius had 9ust
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 326/453
raised a fri*htfu+ tem)est a*ainst the Church( and
his fu+minatin* edicts assai+ed on a++ sides the re3
+i*ion of .esus Christ( at the time $hen St" S'm3
)horian +i%ed at Autun in a++ the s)+endor that hi*h
6irth and uncommon %irtue can confer" &e $as of
a Christian fami+'( one of the most considera6+e of
the cit'(# etc"
0arcus Aure+ius issued no san*uinar' edicts
a*ainst the Christians" It is a %er' crimina+ ca+3
; Phi+oso)hica+
umn'" Ti++emont himse+f admits that #he $as the
6est )rince the Romans e%er had4 that his rei*n
$as a *o+den a*e4 and that he %eriJed $hat he
often Huoted from P+ato( that nations $ou+d on+'
6e ha))' $hen 5in*s $ere )hi+oso)hers"#
Of a++ the em)erors( this $as the one $ho )ro3
mu+*ated the 6est +a$s 4 he )rotected the $ise( 6ut
)ersecuted no Christians( of $hom he had a *reat
man' in his ser%ice"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 327/453
The $riter of the +e*end re+ates that St" S'm3
)horian ha%in* refused to adore C'6e+e( the cit'
9ud*e inHuired- #Who is this manM# No$ it is
im)ossi6+e that the 9ud*e of Autun shou+d not ha%e
5no$n the most considera6+e )erson in Autun"
&e $as dec+ared 6' the sentence to 6e *ui+t' of
treason( #di%ine and human"# The Romans ne%er
em)+o'ed this formu+a4 and that a+one shou+d de3
)ri%e the )retended mart'r of Autun of a++ credit"
In order the 6etter to refute this ca+umn'
a*ainst the sacred memor' of 0arcus Aure+ius( +et
us 6rin* under %ie$ the discourse of 0e+iton(
6isho) of Sardis( to this 6est of em)erors( re)orted
%er6atim 6' Euse6ius -
#The continua+ succession of *ood fortune $hich
has attended the em)ire( $ithout its ha))iness
6ein* distur6ed 6' a sin*+e dis*race( since our re3
+i*ion( $hich $as 6orn $ith it( has *ro$n in its
6osom( is an e%ident )roof that it contri6utes emi3
nent+' to its *reatness and *+or'" Amon* a++ the
em)erors( Nero and Domitian a+one( decei%ed 6'
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 328/453
Dictionar'" ;<
certain im)ostors( ha%e s)read ca+umnies a*ainst
us( $hich( as usua+( ha%e found some )artia+ cre3
dence amon* the )eo)+e" !ut 'our )ious ancestors
ha%e corrected the )eo)+e2s i*norance( and 6' )u63
+ic edicts ha%e re)ressed the audacit' of those $ho
attem)ted to treat us i++" ?our *randfather Adrian
$rote in our fa%or to Fundanus( *o%ernor of Asia(
and to man' other )ersons" The em)eror( 'our
father( durin* the )eriod $hen 'ou di%ided $ith
him the cares of *o%ernment( $rote to the inha6it3
ants of Larissa( of Thessa+onica( of Athens( and in
short to a++ the )eo)+e of reece( to re)ress the
seditions and tumu+ts $hich ha%e 6een e7cited
a*ainst us"#
This dec+aration 6' a most )ious( +earned( and
%eracious 6isho) is su8cient to confound fore%er
a++ the +ies and +e*ends $hich ma' 6e re*arded as
the Ara6ian ta+es of Christianit'"
>" Of Another Saint Fe+icita( and of Saint Per3
)etua"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 329/453
If it $ere an o69ect to dis)ute the +e*end of
Fe+icita and Per)etua( it $ou+d not 6e di8cu+t to
sho$ ho$ sus)icious it is" These Cartha*inian
mart'rs are on+' 5no$n 6' a $ritin*( $ithout date(
of the church of Sa+16ur*" No$( it is a2 *reat
$a' from this )art of !a%aria to o+etta" We are
not informed under $hat em)eror this Fe+icita and
this Per)etua recei%ed the cro$n of mart'rdom"
The astoundin* si*hts $ith $hich this histor' is
= Phi+oso)hica+
J++ed do not disco%er a %er' )rofound historian" A
+adder entire+' of *o+d( 6ordered $ith +ances and
s$ords 4 a dra*on at the to) of the +adder 4 a +ar*e
*arden near the dra*on 4 shee) from $hich an o+d
man dre$ mi+5 4 a reser%oir fu++ of $ater 4 a 6ott+e
of $ater $hence the' dran5 $ithout diminishin*
the +iHuid4 St" Per)etua J*htin* entire+' na5ed
a*ainst a $ic5ed E*')tian 4 some handsome 'oun*
men( a++ na5ed( $ho too5 her )art 4 herse+f at +ast
6ecome a man and a %i*orous $rest+er4 these are(
it a))ears to me( conceits $hich shou+d not ha%e
)+ace in a res)ecta6+e 6oo5"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 330/453
There is one other reection %er' im)ortant to
ma5e" It is that the st'+e of a++ these stories of
mart'rdom( $hich too5 )+ace at such dierent
)eriods( is e%er'$here a+i5e( e%er'$here eHua++'
)ueri+e and 6om6astic" ?ou Jnd the same turns of
e7)ression( the same )hrases( in the histor' of a
mart'r under Domitian and of another under a+3
erius" There are the same e)ithets( the same e73
a**erations" !' the +itt+e $e understand of st'+e(
$e )ercei%e that the same hand has com)i+ed
them a++"
I do not here )retend to ma5e a 6oo5 a*ainst
Don Ruinart 4 and $hi+e I a+$a's res)ect( admire(
and in%o5e the true mart'rs $ith the &o+' Church(
I conJne m'se+f to ma5in* it )ercei%ed( 6' one or
t$o stri5in* e7am)+es( ho$ dan*erous it is 2to mi7
$hat is )ure+' ridicu+ous $ith $hat ou*ht to 6e
%enerated"
Dictionar'" ;
" Of Saint Theodotus of the Cit' of Anc'ra( and
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 331/453
of the Se%en Vir*ins4 Written 6' Nisus( an
E'e3Witness( and E7tracted from !o++andus"
0an' critics( as eminent for $isdom as for true
)iet'( ha%e a+read' *i%en us to understand that the
+e*end of St" Theodotus the Pu6+ican is a )rofana3
tion and a s)ecies of im)iet' $hich ou*ht to ha%e
6een su))ressed" The fo++o$in* is the stor' of
Theodotus" We sha++ often em)+o' the e7act $ords
of the #enuine Acts(# com)i+ed 6' Don Ruinart"
#&is trade of )u6+ican su))+ied him $ith the
means of e7ercisin* his e)isco)a+ functions" I++us3
trious ta%ern : consecrated to )iet' instead of de3
6aucher' Sometimes Theodotus $as a
)h'sician( sometimes he furnished tit36its to the
faithfu+" A ta%ern $as seen to 6e to the Christians
$hat Noah2s ar5 $as to those $hom od $ished to
sa%e from the de+u*e"#
This )u6+ican Theodotus( $a+5in* 6' the ri%er
&a+is $ith his com)anions to$ards a to$n ad9acent
to the cit' of Anc'ra( #a fresh and soft )+ot of turf
oered them a de+icious couch 4 a s)rin* $hich
issued a fe$ ste)s o( from the foot of the roc5(
and $hich 6' a channe+ cro$ned $ith o$ers came
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 332/453
runnin* )ast them in order to Huench their thirst(
oered them c+ear and )ure $ater" Trees 6earin*
fruit( mi7ed $ith $i+d ones( furnished them $ith
shade and fruits 4 and an assem6+a*e of s5i+fu+
ni*htin*a+es( $hom the *rassho))ers re+ie%ed e%er'
no$ and then( formed a charmin* concert(# etc"
Phi+oso)hica+
The c+er*'man of the )+ace( named Fronton(
ha%in* arri%ed( and the )u6+ican ha%in* drun5 $ith
him on the *rass( #the fresh *reen of $hich $as
re+ie%ed 6' the %arious *radations of co+or in the
o$ers( he said to the c+er*'man- 2Ah( father:
$hat a )+easure it $ou+d 6e to 6ui+d a cha)e+ here"2
2?es said Fronton( 26ut it $ou+d 6e necessar' to
ha%e some re+ics to 6e*in $ith"2 2We++( $e++ re)+ied
St" Theodotus( 2'ou sha++ ha%e some soon( I *i%e 'ou
m' $ord4 here is m' rin*( $hich I *i%e 'ou as a
)+ed*e 4 6ui+d 'our cha)e+ Huic5+'"2 #
The )u6+ican had the *ift of )ro)hec'( and 5ne$
$e++ $hat he "$as sa'in*" &e $ent a$a' to the
cit' of Anc'ra( $hi+e the c+er*'man Fronton set
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 333/453
himse+f a6out 6ui+din*" &e found there the most
horri6+e )ersecution( $hich +asted %er' +on*" Se%en
Christian %ir*ins( of $hom the 'oun*est $as se%3
ent' 'ears o+d( had 9ust 6een condemned( accordin*
to custom( to +ose their %ir*init'( throu*h the a*enc'
of a++ the 'oun* men of the cit'" The 'outh of
Anc'ra( $ho had )ro6a6+' more ur*ent aairs(
$ere in no hurr' to e7ecute the sentence" One
on+' cou+d 6e found o6edient to 9ustice" &e a)3
)+ied himse+f to St" Thecusa( and carried her into
a c+oset $ith sur)risin* coura*e" Thecusa thre$
herse+f on her 5nees( and said to him( #For od2s
sa5e( m' son( a +itt+e shame: !eho+d thfcse +ac53
+ustre e'es( this ha+f3dead esh( these *reas' $rin3
5+es( $hich se%ent' 'ears ha%e )+ou*hed in m' fore3
head( this face of the co+or of the earth4 a6andon
Dictionar'" G
thou*hts so un$orth' of a 'oun* man +i5e 'ou
.esus Christ entreats 'ou 6' m' mouth" &e as5s
it of 'ou as a fa%or( and if 'ou *rant it &im( 'ou
ma' e7)ect &is entire *ratitude"# The discourse
of the o+d $oman( and her countenance made the
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 334/453
e7ecutioner reco++ect himse+f" The se%en %ir*ins
$ere not deo$ered"
The irritated *o%ernor sou*ht for another )un3
ishment 4 he caused them to 6e initiated forth$ith in
the m'steries of Diana and 0iner%a" It is true
that *reat feasts had 6een instituted in honor of
those di%inities( 6ut the m'steries of Diana and
0iner%a $ere not 5no$n to antiHuit'" St" Ni+( an
intimate friend of the )u6+ican Theodotus( and the
author of this mar%e++ous stor'( $as not Huite cor3
rect"
Accordin* to him( these se%en )rett' +asses $ere
)+aced Huite na5ed on the car $hich carried the
*reat Diana and the $ise 0iner%a to the 6an5s of a
nei*h6orin* +a5e" The Thuc'dides St" Ni+ sti++ a)3
)ears to 6e %er' i++3informed here" The )riestesses
$ere a+$a's co%ered $ith %ei+s4 and the Roman
ma*istrates ne%er caused the *oddesses of chastit'
and $isdom to 6e attended 6' *ir+s $ho sho$ed
themse+%es 6oth 6efore and 6ehind to the )eo)+e"
St" Ni+ adds that the car $as )receded 6' t$o
choirs of )riestesses of !acchus( $ho carried the
th'rses in their hands" St" Ni+ has here mista5en
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 335/453
the )riestesses of 0iner%a for those of !acchus"
&e $as not %ersed in the +itur*' of Anc'ra"
Q Phi+oso)hica+
Enterin* the cit'( the )u6+ican sa$ this sad
s)ectac+e the *o%ernor( the )riestesses( the car(
0iner%a( and the se%en maidens" &e runs to thro$
himse+f on his 5nees in a hut( a+on* $ith a ne)he$
of St" Thecusa" &e 6eseeches hea%en that the se%en
+adies shou+d 6e dead rather than na5ed" &is
)ra'er is heard4 he +earns that the se%en damse+s(
instead of 6ein* deo$ered( ha%e 6een thro$n into
the +a5e $ith stones round their nec5s( 6' order of
the *o%ernor" Their %ir*init' is in safe35ee)in*"
At this ne$s the saint( raisin* himse+f from the
*round and )+acin* himse+f u)on his 5nees( turned
his e'es to$ards hea%en4 and in the midst of the
%arious emotions he e7)erienced of +o%e( 9o'( and
*ratitude( he said( #I *i%e Thee than5s( O Lord,
that Thou has not re9ected the )ra'er of Th'
ser%ant"#
&e s+e)t4 and durin* his s+ee)( St" Thecusa( the
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 336/453
'oun*est of the dro$ned $omen( a))eared to him"
#&o$ no$( son Theodotus :# she said( #'ou are
s+ee)in* $ithout thin5in* of us - ha%e 'ou for*otten
so soon the care I too5 of 'our 'outh M Do not( dear
Theodotus( suer our 6odies to 6e de%oured 6' the
Jshes" o to the +a5e( 6ut 6e$are of a traitor"#
This traitor $as( in fact( the ne)he$ of St" The3
cusa"
I omit here a mu+titude of miracu+ous ad%entures
that ha))ened to the )u6+ican( in order to come to
the most im)ortant" A ce+estia+ ca%a+ier( armed ca)3
a3)ie( )receded 6' a ce+estia+ am6eau( descends
Dictionar'"
from the hei*ht of the em)'rean( conducts the )u63
+ican to the +a5e in the midst of storms( dri%es a$a'
a++ the so+diers $ho *uard the shore( and *i%es
Theodotus time to Jsh u) the se%en o+d $omen and
to 6ur' them"
The ne)he$ of St" Thecusa unfortunate+' $ent
and to+d a++" Theodotus $as sei1ed( and for three
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 337/453
da's a++ sorts of )unishments $ere tried in %ain to
5i++ him" The' cou+d on+' attain their o69ect 6'
c+ea%in* his s5u++ 4 an o)eration $hich saints are
ne%er )roof a*ainst"
&e $as sti++ to 6e 6uried" &is friend the minis3
ter Fronton to $hom Theodotus( in his ca)acit' of
)u6+ican( had *i%en t$o +eathern 6ott+es J++ed $ith
$ine made the *uards drun5( and carried o the
6od'" Theodotus then a))eared in 6od' and s)irit
to the minister - #We++( m' friend(# he said to him(
#did I not sa' $e++( that 'ou shou+d ha%e re+ics for
'our cha)e+ M#
Such is $hat is narrated 6' St" Ni+( an e'e3$it3
ness( $ho cou+d neither 6e decei%ed nor decei%e4
such is $hat Don Ruinart has Huoted as a *enuine
act" No$ e%er' man of sense( e%er' inte++i*ent
Christian( $i++ as5 himse+f( $hether a 6etter mode
cou+d 6e ado)ted of dishonorin* the most ho+' and
%enerated re+i*ion in the $or+d( and of turnin* it
into ridicu+eM
I sha++ not s)ea5 of the E+e%en Thousand Vir*ins 4
I sha++ not discuss the fa6+e of the The6an +e*ion(
com)osed sa's the author of si7 thousand si7
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 338/453
Vo+" ;;;
;;> Phi+oso)hica+
hundred men( a++ Christians comin* from the East
6' 0ount St" !ernard( suerin* mart'rdom in the
'ear >( the )eriod of the most )rofound )eace as
re*arded the Church( and in the *or*e of a mountain
$here it is im)ossi6+e to )+ace G== men a6reast4
a fa6+e $ritten more than = 'ears after the e%ent4
a fa6+e in $hich a 5in* of !ur*und' is s)o5en of
$ho ne%er e7isted4 a fa6+e( in short( ac5no$+ed*ed
to 6e a6surd 6' a++ the +earned $ho ha%e not +ost
their reason"
!eho+d $hat Don Ruinart narrates serious+':
Let us )ra' to od for the *ood sense of Don
Ruinart :
SECTION II"
&o$ does it ha))en that( in the en+i*htened a*e
in $hich $e +i%e( +earned and usefu+ $riters are sti++
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 339/453
found $ho ne%erthe+ess fo++o$ the stream of o+d
errors( and $ho corru)t man' truths 6' admitted
fa6+esM The' rec5on the era of the mart'rs from
the Jrst 'ear of the em)ire of Dioc+etian( $ho $as
then far enou*h from inictin* mart'rdom on an'3
6od'" The' for*et that his $ife Prisca $as a Chris3
tian( that the )rinci)a+ o8cers of his househo+d $ere
Christians4 that he )rotected them constant+' dur3
in* ei*hteen 'ears 4 that the' 6ui+t at Nicomedia a
church more sum)tuous than his )a+ace 4 and that
the' $ou+d ne%er ha%e 6een )ersecuted if the' had
not outra*ed the Caesar Va+erius"
Is it )ossi6+e that an' one shou+d sti++ dare to
assert #that Dioc+etian died of a*e( des)air( and
Dictionar'"
miser'#4 he $ho $as seen to Huit +ife +i5e a )hi3
+oso)her( as he had Huitted the em)ire4 he $ho(
so+icited to resume the su)reme )o$er +o%ed 6etter
to cu+ti%ate his Jne *ardens at Sa+onica( than to
rei*n a*ain o%er the $ho+e of the then 5no$n $or+d M
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 340/453
Oh( 'e com)i+ers: $i++ 'ou ne%er cease to com3
)i+eM ?ou ha%e usefu++' em)+o'ed 'our three Jn3
*ers 4 em)+o' sti++ more usefu++' 'our reason"
What: 'ou re)eat to me that St" Peter rei*ned
o%er the faithfu+ at Rome for t$ent'3J%e 'ears( and
that Nero had him )ut to death to*ether $ith St"
Pau+( in order to a%en*e the death of Simon the
0a*ician( $hose +e*s the' had 6ro5en 6' their
)ra'ers M
To re)ort such fa6+es( thou*h $ith the 6est mo3
ti%e( is to insu+t Christianit'"
The )oor creatures $ho sti++ re)eat these a6surdi3
ties are co)'ists $ho rene$ in octa%o and duodecimo
o+d stories that honest men no +on*er read( and $ho
ha%e ne%er o)ened a 6oo5 of $ho+esome criticism"
The' ra5e u) the antiHuated ta+es of the Church4
the' 5no$ nothin* of either 0idd+eton( or Dod$e++(
or !ru5er( or Dumou+in( or Fa6ricius( or ra6ius(
or e%en Du)in( or of an' one of those $ho ha%e
+ate+' carried +i*ht into the dar5ness"
SECTION III"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 341/453
We are foo+ed $ith mart'rdoms that ma5e us
6rea5 out into +au*hter" The Tituses( the Tra9ans(
the 0arcus Aure+iuses( are )ainted as monsters of
Phi+oso)hica+
crue+t'" F+eur'( a66e of Loc Dieu( has dis*raced
his ecc+esiastica+ histor' 6' ta+es $hich a sensi6+e
o+d $oman $ou+d not te++ to +itt+e chi+dren"
Can it 6e serious+' re)eated( that the Romans
condemned se%en %ir*ins( each se%ent' 'ears o+d( to
)ass throu*h the hands of a++ the 'oun* men of the
cit' of Anc'ra those Romans $ho )unished the
Vesta+s $ith death for the +east *a++antr'M
A hundred ta+es of this sort are found in the mar3
t'ro+o*ies" The narrators ha%e ho)ed to render the
ancient Romans odious( and the' ha%e rendered
themse+%es ridicu+ous" Do 'ou $ant *ood( $e++3au3
thenticated 6ar6arities *ood and $e++3attested mas3
sacres( ri%ers of 6+ood $hich ha%e actua++' o$ed
fathers( mothers( hus6ands( $i%es( infants at the
6reast( $ho ha%e in rea+it' had their throats cut(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 342/453
and 6een hea)ed on one another M Persecutin* mon3
sters : see5 these truths on+' in 'our o$n anna+s -
'ou $i++ Jnd them in the crusades a*ainst the A+6i3
*enses( in the massacres of 0erindo+ and Ca6riere(
in the fri*htfu+ da' of St" !artho+ome$( in the mas3
sacres of Ire+and( in the %a++e's of the Pa's de Vaud"
It 6ecomes 'ou $e++( 6ar6arians as 'ou are( to im3
)ute e7tra%a*ant crue+ties to the 6est of em)erors4
'ou $ho ha%e de+u*ed Euro)e $ith 6+ood( and co%3
ered it $ith cor)ses( in order to )ro%e that the same
6od' can 6e in a thousand )+aces at once(,and that
the )o)e can se++ indu+*ences : Cease to ca+umniate
the Romans( 'our +a$3*i%ers( and as5 )ardon of
od for the a6ominations of 'our forefathers :
Dictionar'" <
It is not the torture( 'ou sa'( $hich ma5es mar3
t'rdom4 it is the cause" We++: I a*ree $ith 'ou
that 'our %ictims ou*ht not to 6e desi*nated 6' the
name of mart'r( $hich si*niJes $itness4 6ut $hat
name sha++ $e *i%e to 'our e7ecutionersM Pha+aris
and !usiris $ere the *ent+est of men in com)arison
$ith 'ou" Does not 'our InHuisition( $hich sti++
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 343/453
remains( ma5e reason( nature( and re+i*ion 6oi+ $ith
indi*nation : reat od : if man5ind shou+d reduce
to ashes that inferna+ tri6una+( $ou+d the' 6e unac3
ce)ta6+e in th' a%en*in* e'esM
0ASS"
T&E mass( in ordinar' +an*ua*e( is the *reatest
and most au*ust of the ceremonies of the Church"
Dierent names are *i%en to it( accordin* to the
rites )ractised in the %arious countries $here it is
ce+e6rated 4 as the 0o1ara6ian or othic mass( the
ree5 mass( the Latin mass" Durandus and Ec5ius
ca++ those masses dr'( in $hich no consecration is
made( as that $hich is a))ointed to 6e said in )artic3
u+ar 6' as)irants to the )riesthood 4 and Cardina+
!ona re+ates( on the authorit' of Wi++iam of Nan*is(
that St" Louis( in his %o'a*e a6road( had it said in
this manner( +est the motion of the %esse+ shou+d
s)i++ the consecrated $ine" &e a+so Huoted ene3
6rard( $ho sa's that he assisted at Turin( in ;(
at a simi+ar mass( ce+e6rated in a church( 6ut after
dinner and %er' +ate( for the funera+ of a )erson of
ran5"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 344/453
G= Phi+oso)hica+
Pierre +e Chantre a+so s)ea5s of the t$o3fo+d(
three3fo+d( and e%en four3fo+d mass( in $hich the
)riest ce+e6rated the mass of the da' or the feast(
as far as the oertor'( then 6e*an a second( third(
and sometimes a fourth( as far as the same )+ace4
after $hich he said as man' secretas as he had 6e3
*un masses 4 he recited the canon on+' once for the
$ho+e 4 and at the end he added as man' co++ects as
he had 9oined to*ether masses"
It $as not unti+ a6out the c+ose of the fourth cen3
tur' that the $ord #mass# 6e*an to si*nif' the ce+e3
6ration of the eucharist" The +earned !eatus Rhe3
nanus( in his notes on Tertu++ian( o6ser%es( that St"
Am6rose consecrated this )o)u+ar e7)ression(
#missa# ta5en from the sendin* out of the catechu3
mens( after the readin* of the *os)e+"
In the #A)osto+ica+ Constitutions(# $e Jnd a
+itur*' in the name of St" .ames( 6' $hich it a)3
)ears( that instead of in%o5in* the saints in the
canon of the mass( the )rimiti%e Church )ra'ed for
them" #We a+so oer to Thee( O Lord(# said the
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 345/453
ce+e6rator( #this 6read and this cha+ice for a++ the
saints that ha%e 6een )+easin* in Th' si*ht from the
6e*innin* of a*es - for the )atriarchs( the )ro)hets(
the 9ust( the a)ost+es( the mart'rs( the confessors(
6isho)s( )riests( deacons( su6deacons( readers(
chanters( %ir*ins( $ido$s( +a'men( nd a++ $hose
names are 5no$n unto Thee"# !ut St" C'ri+ of .eru3
sa+em( $ho +i%ed in the fourth centur'( su6stituted
this e7)+anation - #After $hich(# sa's he( #$e com3
ANOIENT RO0I
Dictionar'" G ;
memorate those $ho die 6efore us( and Jrst the )a3
triarchs( a)ost+es( and mart'rs( that od ma' re3
cei%e our )ra'ers throu*h their intercession"# This
)ro%es as $i++ 6e said in the artic+e on #Re+ics#
that the $orshi) of the saints $as then 6e*innin*
to 6e introduced into the Church"
Noe+ A+e7ander cites acts of St" Andre$( in
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 346/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 347/453
G Phi+oso)hica+
moreo%er( that .esus san* a h'mn" St" .ohn( $ho
in his *os)e+ mentions neither the distri6ution of the
6read and $ine( nor the h'mn( s)ea5s of the +atter
at *reat +en*th in his Acts( of $hich $e *i%e the
te7t( as Huoted 6' the Second Counci+ of Nice -
#!efore our Lord $as ta5en 6' the .e$s(# sa's
this $e++36e+o%ed a)ost+e of .esus( #&e assem6+ed us
a++ to*ether( and said to us - 2Let us sin* a h'mn in
honor of the Father( after $hich $e $i++ e7ecute the
desi*n $e ha%e concei%ed"2 &e ordered us therefore
to form a circ+e( ho+din* one another 6' the hand4
then( ha%in* )+aced &imse+f in the midd+e of the
circ+e( &e said to us - 2Amen 4 fo++o$ me"2 Then &e
6e*an the cantic+e( and said - 2+or' 6e to Thee( O
Father:2 We a++ ans$ered( 2Amen"2 .esus contin3
ued( sa'in*( 2+or' to the Word(2 etc" 2+or' to the
S)irit(2 etc" 2+or' to race(2 etc"( and the a)ost+es
constant+' ans$ered( 2Amen"2 #
After some other do7o+o*ies( .esus said( #I $i++
sa%e( and I $i++ 6e sa%ed( Amen" I $i++ un6ind( and
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 348/453
I $i++ 6e un6ound( Amen" I $i++ 6e $ounded( and
I $i++ $ound( Amen" I $i++ 6e 6orn( and I $i++ 6e3
*et( Amen" I $i++ eat( and I $i++ 6e consumed(
Amen" I $i++ 6e hear5ened to( and I $i++ hear5en(
Amen" I $i++ 6e com)rehended 6' the s)irit( 6ein*
a++ s)irit( a++ understandin*( Amen" I $i++ 6e $ashed(
and I $i++ $ash( Amen" race 6rin*s dancin*4 I
$i++ )+a' on the ute4 a++ of 'ou dance( Amen" I
$i++ sin* sorro$fu+ airs 4 no$ a++ of 'ou +ament(
Amen"#
Dictionar'" GG
St" Au*ustine( $ho 6e*ins a )art of this h'mn in
his #E)ist+e to Ceretius(# *i%es a+so the fo++o$in*-
#I $i++ dec5( and I $i++ 6e dec5ed" I am a +am) to
those $ho see me and 5no$ me" I am the door for
a++ $ho $i++ 5noc5 at it" Do 'ou( $ho see $hat I
do( 6e carefu+ not to s)ea5 of it"#
This dance of .esus and the a)ost+es is e%ident+'
imitated from that of the E*')tian Thera)eutae(
$ho danced after su))er in their assem6+ies( at Jrst
di%ided into t$o choirs( then united the men and
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 349/453
the $omen to*ether( as at the feast of !acchus( after
s$a++o$in* )+ent' of ce+estia+ $ine as Phi+o sa's"
!esides $e 5no$( that accordin* to the .e$ish
tradition( after their comin* out of E*')t( and )ass3
in* the Red Sea( $hence the so+emnit' of the Pass3
o%er too5 its name( 0oses and his sister assem6+ed
t$o musica+ choirs( one com)osed of men( the other
of $omen( $ho( $hi+e dancin*( san* a cantic+e of
than5s*i%in*" These instruments instantaneous+'
assem6+ed( these choirs arran*ed $ith so much
)rom)titude( the faci+it' $ith $hich the son*s and
dances are e7ecuted( su))ose a trainin* in these
t$o e7ercises much anterior to the moment of e7e3
cution"
The usa*e $as after$ards )er)etrated amon* the
.e$s" The dau*hters of Shi+oh $ere dancin* ac3
cordin* to custom( at the so+emn feast of the Lord(
$hen the 'oun* men of the tri6e of !en9amin( to
$hom the' had 6een refused for $i%es( carried them
GQ Phi+oso)hica+
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 350/453
o 6' the counse+ of the o+d men of Israe+" And at
this da'( in Pa+estine( the $omen( assem6+ed near
the tom6s of their re+ati%es( dance in a mournfu+
manner( and utter cries of +amentation"
We a+so 5no$ that the Jrst Christians he+d amon*
themse+%es a*a)ce( or feasts of charit'( in memor'
of the +ast su))er $hich .esus ce+e6rated $ith his
a)ost+es( from $hich the Pa*ans too5 occasion to
6rin* a*ainst them the most odious char*es 4 on
$hich( to 6anish e%er' shado$ of +icentiousness( the
)astors for6ade the 5iss of )eace( that conc+uded
the ceremon' to 6e *i%en 6et$een )ersons of dier3
ent se7es" !ut %arious a6uses( $hich $ere e%en
then com)+ained of 6' St" Pau+( and $hich the
Counci+ of an*res( in the 'ear GQ( %ain+' under3
too5 to reform( at +en*th caused the a*a)ce to 6e
a6o+ished in G<( 6' the Third Counci+ of Cartha*e(
of $hich the fort'3Jrst canon ordained( that the ho+'
m'steries shou+d 6e ce+e6rated fastin*"
It $i++ not 6e dou6ted that these feastin*s $ere
accom)anied 6' dances( $hen it is reco++ected that(
accordin* to Sca+i*er( the 6isho)s $ere ca++ed in the
Latin Church #)rasu+es# from )rsi+iendo on+'
6ecause the' +ed o the dance" &e+iot( in his #&is3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 351/453
tor' of the 0onastic Orders(# sa's a+so( that durin*
the )ersecutions $hich distur6ed the )eace of the
Jrst Christians( con*re*ations $ere formed of men
and $omen( $ho( after the manner of th Thera3
)eutas( retired into the deserts( $here the' assem6+ed
Dictionar'" G
in the ham+ets on Sunda's and feast da's( and
danced )ious+'( sin*in* the )ra'ers of the Church"
In Portu*a+( in S)ain( and in Roussi++on( so+emn
dances are sti++ )erformed in honor of the m'steries
of Christianit'" On e%er' %i*i+ of a feast of the
Vir*in( the 'oun* $omen assem6+e 6efore the doors
of the churches dedicated to her( and )ass the ni*ht
in dancin* round( and sin*in* h'mns and cantic+es
in honor of her" Cardina+ Bimenes restored in his
time( in the cathedra+ of To+edo( the ancient usa*e
of the 0o1ara6ian mass( durin* $hich dances are
)erformed in the choir and the na%e( $ith eHua+
order and de%otion" In France too( a6out the mid3
d+e of the +ast centur'( the )riests and a++ the )eo)+e
of the Limo*es mi*ht 6e seen dancin* round in the
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 352/453
co++e*iate church( sin*in*- #Sant 0artian )re*as
)ernous et nous e)in*aren )er 6ous# that is( #St"
0artian( )ra' for us( and $e $i++ dance for 'ou"#
And +ast+'( the .esuit 0enestrier( in the )reface
to his #Treatise on !a++ets(# )u6+ished in ;>( sa's(
that he had himse+f seen the canons of some
churches ta5e the sin*in* 6o's 6' the hand on
Easter da'( and dance in the choir( sin*in* h'mns of
re9oicin*" What has 6een said in the artic+e on
#Ca+ends(# of the e7tra%a*ant dances of the feast of
foo+s( e7hi6its a )art of the a6uses $hich ha%e
caused dancin* to 6e discontinued in the ceremonies
of the mass( $hich( the *reater their *ra%it'( are the
6etter ca+cu+ated to im)ose on the sim)+e"
G> Phi+oso)hica+
0ASSACRES"
IT is )erha)s as di8cu+t as it is use+ess to ascer3
tain $hether #ma11acrium(# a $ord of the +o$
Latin( is the root of #massacre(# or $hether #mas3
sacre# is the root of #ma11acrium22
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 353/453
A massacre si*niJes a num6er of men 5i++ed"
There $as 'esterda' a *reat massacre near Warsa$
near Craco$" We ne%er sa' - #There has 6een
a massacre of a man# 4 'et $e do sa' - #A man has
6een massacred#- in that case it is understood that
he has 6een 5i++ed 6ar6arous+' 6' man' 6+o$s"
Poetr' ma5es use of the $ord #massacred# for
5i++ed( assassinated- #ue )ar ses )ro)res mains
son )ere massacre"# Cinna"
An En*+ishman has made a com)i+ation of a++
the massacres )er)etrated on account of re+i*ion
since the Jrst centuries of our %u+*ar era" I ha%e
6een %er' much tem)ted to $rite a*ainst the En*+ish
author4 6ut his memoir not a))earin* to 6e e7a*3
*erated( I ha%e restrained m'se+f" For the future
I ho)e there $i++ 6e no more such ca+cu+ations to
ma5e" !ut to $hom sha++ $e 6e inde6ted for thatM
0ASTER"
SECTION I"
X
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 354/453
#&o$ unfortunate am I to ha%e 6een 6orn:# said
Ardassan Ou*+i( a 'oun* ico*+an of the *rand su+3
tan of the Tur5s" #?et if I de)ended on+' on the
Dictionar'" G
su+tan 6ut I am a+so su69ect to the chief of m'
oda( to the cassi*i 6achi4 and $hen I recei%e m'
)a'( I must )rostrate m'se+f 6efore a c+er5 of the
teftardar( $ho 5ee)s 6ac5 ha+f of it" I $as not se%en
'ears o+d( $hen( in s)ite of m'se+f( I $as circum3
cised $ith *reat ceremon'( and $as i++ for a fort3
ni*ht after it" The der%ish $ho )ra's to us is a+so
m' master4 an iman is sti++ more m' master( and
the mu++ah sti++ more so than the iman" The cadi is
another master( the 5ades+es5er a *reater 4 the mufti
a *reater than a++ these to*ether" The 5iaia of the
*rand %i1ier $ith one $ord cou+d cause me to 6e
thro$n into the cana+ 4 and Jna++'( the *rand %i1ier
cou+d ha%e me 6eheaded( and the s5in of m' head
stri))ed o( $ithout an' )erson carin* a6out the
matter"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 355/453
#reat od( ho$ man' masters : If I had as
man' sou+s and 6odies as I ha%e duties to fu+J+( I
cou+d not 6ear it" Oh A++ah: $h' hast thou not
made me an o$+ M I shou+d +i%e free in m' ho+e and
eat mice at m' ease( $ithout masters or ser%ants"
This is assured+' the true destin' of man 4 there
$ere no masters unti+ it $as )er%erted 4 no man
$as made to ser%e another continua++'" If thin*s
$ere in order( each shou+d charita6+' he+) his nei*h3
6or" The Huic53si*hted $ou+d conduct the 6+ind(
the acti%e $ou+d 6e crutches to the +ame" This $ou+d
6e the )aradise of 0ahomet( instead of the he++
$hich is formed )recise+' under the inconcei%a6+'
narro$ 6rid*e"#
G Phi+oso)hica+
Thus s)o5e Ardassan Ou*+i( after 6ein* 6astina3
doed 6' one of his masters"
Some 'ears after$ards( Ardassan Ou*+i 6ecame
a )asha $ith three tai+s" &e made a )rodi*ious for3
tune( and Jrm+' 6e+ie%ed that a++ men e7ce)t the
*rand Tur5 and the *rand %i1ier $ere 6orn to ser%e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 356/453
him( and a++ $omen to *i%e him )+easure accordin*
to his $ishes"
SECTION II"
&o$ can one man 6ecome the master of another M
And 6' $hat 5ind of incom)rehensi6+e ma*ic has
he 6een a6+e to 6ecome the master of se%era+ other
menM A *reat num6er of *ood %o+umes ha%e 6een
$ritten on this su69ect( 6ut I *i%e the )reference to
an Indian fa6+e( 6ecause it is short( and fa6+es e73
)+ain e%er'thin*"
Adimo( the father of a++ the Indians( had t$o sons
and t$o dau*hters 6' his $ife Pocriti" The e+dest
$as a %i*orous *iant( the 'oun*est $as a +itt+e
hunch6ac5( the t$o *ir+s $ere )rett'" As soon as
the *iant $as stron* enou*h( he +a' $ith his t$o
sisters( and caused the +itt+e hunch6ac5 to ser%e him"
Of his t$o sisters( the one $as his coo5( the other
his *ardener" When the *iant $ou+d s+ee)( he 6e3
*an 6' chainin* his +itt+e 6rother to a tree4 and
$hen the +atter ed from him( he cau*ht him in four
strides( and *a%e him t$ent' 6+o$s $ith the, stren*th
of an o7"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 357/453
The d$arf su6mitted and 6ecame the 6est su63
9ect in the $or+d" The *iant( satisJed $ith seein*
Dictionar'" G<
him fu+J+ the duties of a su69ect( )ermitted him to
s+ee) $ith one of his sisters( $ith $hom he $as dis3
*usted" The chi+dren $ho s)ran* from this mar3
ria*e $ere not Huite hunch6ac5s( 6ut the' $ere su83
cient+' deformed" The' $ere 6rou*ht u) in the fear
of od and of the *iant" The' recei%ed an e7ce++ent
education4 the' $ere tau*ht that their unc+e $as
a *iant 6' di%ine ri*ht( $ho cou+d do $hat he
)+eased $ith a++ his fami+'4 that if he had some
)rett' niece or *rand3niece( he shou+d ha%e her $ith3
out di8cu+t'( and not one shou+d marr' her un+ess
he )ermitted it"
The *iant d'in*( his son( $ho $as neither so
stron* or so *reat as he $as( 6e+ie%ed himse+f to
6e +i5e his father( a *iant 6' di%ine ri*ht" &e )re3
tended to ma5e a++ the men $or5 for him( and s+e)t
$ith a++ the *ir+s" The fami+' +ea*ued a*ainst him -
he $as 5i++ed( and the' 6ecame a re)u6+ic"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 358/453
The Siamese )retend( that on the contrar' the
fami+' commenced 6' 6ein* re)u6+ican 4 and that
the *iant e7isted not unti+ after a *reat man' 'ears
and dissensions - 6ut a++ the authors of !enares and
Siam a*ree that men +i%ed an inJnit' of a*es 6efore
the' had the $it to ma5e +a$s( and the' )ro%e it
6' an unans$era6+e ar*ument( $hich is that e%en
at )resent( $hen a++ the $or+d )iHues itse+f u)on
ha%in* $it( $e ha%e not 'et found the means of
ma5in* a score of +a$s )assa6+' *ood"
It is sti++( for e7am)+e( an inso+u6+e Huestion in
India( $hether re)u6+ics $ere esta6+ished 6efore or
Q= Phi+oso)hica+
after monarchies4 if confusion has a))eared more
horri6+e to men than des)otism : I am i*norant ho$
it ha))ened in order of time( 6ut in that of nature
$e must a*ree that men are a++ 6orn eHua+ - %io+ence
and a6i+it' made the Jrst masters4 +a$s ha%e made
the )resent"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 359/453
0ATTER"
SECTION I"
A Po+ite Dia+o*ue !et$een a Demoniac and a Phi3
+oso)her"
DE0ONIAC"
?ES( thou enem' of od and man( $ho 6e+ie%est
that od is a++3)o$erfu+( and is at +i6ert' to confer
the *ift of thou*ht on e%er' 6ein* $hom &e sha++
%ouchsafe to choose( I $i++ *o and denounce thee to
the inHuisitor4 I $i++ ha%e thee 6urned" !e$are(
I $arn thee for the +ast time"
P&ILOSOP&ER"
Are these 'our ar*umentsM Is it thus 'ou teach
man5indM I admire 'our mi+dness"
DE0ONIAC"
Come( I $i++ 6e )atient for a moment $hi+e the
fa*ots are )re)arin*" Ans$er me - What is s)irit M
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 360/453
P&ILOSOP&ER"
I 5no$ not"
DE0ONIAC" ,(
What is matterM
P&ILOSOP&ER"
I scarce+' 5no$" I 6e+ie%e it to ha%e e7tent(
Dictionar'" Q;
so+idit'( resistance( *ra%it'( di%isi6i+it'( mo6i+it'"
od ma' ha%e *i%en it a thousand other Hua+ities of
$hich I am i*norant"
DE0ONIAC"
A thousand other Hua+ities( traitor: I see $hat
thou $ou+dst 6e at 4 thou $ou+dst te++ me that od
can animate matter( that &e has *i%en instinct to
anima+s( that &e is the 0aster of a++"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 361/453
P&ILOSOP&ER"
!ut it ma' %er' $e++ 6e( that &e has *ranted to
this matter man' )ro)erties $hich 'ou cannot com3
)rehend"
DE0ONIAC"
Which I cannot com)rehend( %i++ain :
P&ILOSOP&ER"
?es" &is )o$er *oes much further than 'our
understandin*"
DE0ONIAC"
&is )o$er: &is )o$er: thou ta+5est +i5e a true
atheist"
P&ILOSOP&ER"
&o$e%er( I ha%e the testimon' of man' ho+'
fathers on m' side"
DE0ONIAC"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 362/453
o to( *o to - neither od nor the' sha++ )re%ent
us from 6urnin* thee a+i%e the death inicted on
)arricides and on )hi+oso)hers $ho are not of our
o)inion"
Vo+" ii ;>
Q Phi+oso)hica+
P&ILOSOP&ER"
Was it the de%i+ or 'ourse+f that in%ented this
method of ar*uin*M
DE0ONIAC"
Vi+e $retch : darest thou to cou)+e m' name $ith
the de%i+2sM
&ere the demoniac stri5es the )hi+oso)her( $ho
returns him the 6+o$ $ith interest"
P&ILOSOP&ER"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 363/453
&e+): )hi+oso)hers:
DE0ONIAC"
&o+' 6rotherhood: he+):
&ere ha+f a do1en )hi+oso)hers arri%e on one
side( and on the other rush in a hundred Dominicans(
$ith a hundred Fami+iars of the InHuisition( and a
hundred a+*ua1i+s" The contest is too uneHua+"
SECTION II"
When $ise men are as5ed $hat is the sou+ the'
ans$er that the' 5no$ not" If the' are as5ed $hat(
matter is( the' ma5e the same re)+'" It is true that
there are )rofessors( and )articu+ar+' scho+ars( $ho
5no$ a++ this )erfect+' 4 and $hen the' ha%e re3
)eated that matter has e7tent and di%isi6i+it'( the'
thin5 the' ha%e said a++4 6ein* )ressed( ho$e%er(
to sa' $hat this thin* is $hich is e7tended( the'
Jnd themse+%es considera6+' em6arrassed:3 It is
com)osed of )arts( sa' the'" And of $hat are these
)arts com)osedM Are the e+ements of the )arts
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 364/453
Dictionar'" QG
di%isi6+e M Then the' are mute( or the' ta+5 a *reat
dea+4 $hich are eHua++' sus)icious" Is this a+most
un5no$n 6ein* ca++ed matter( eterna+M Such $as
the 6e+ief of a++ antiHuit'" &as it of itse+f forceM
0an' )hi+oso)hers ha%e thou*ht so" &a%e those
$ho den' it a ri*ht to den' itM ?ou concei%e not
that matter can ha%e an'thin* of itse+f4 6ut ho$
can 'ou 6e assured that it has not of itse+f the )ro)3
erties necessar' to itM ?ou are i*norant of its na3
ture( and 'ou refuse it the modes $hich ne%erthe3
+ess are in its nature - for it can no sooner ha%e
6een( than it has 6een in a certain fashion it has
had J*ure( and ha%in* necessari+' J*ure( is it im3
)ossi6+e that it shou+d not ha%e had other modes at3
tached to its conJ*urationM 0atter e7ists( 6ut 'ou
5no$ it on+' 6' 'our sensations" A+as : of $hat
a%ai+ ha%e 6een a++ the su6t+eties of the mind since
man Jrst reasonedM eometr' has tau*ht us man'
truths( meta)h'sics %er' fe$" We $ei*h matter(
$e measure it( $e decom)ose it 4 and if $e see5 to ad3
%ance one ste) 6e'ond these *ross o)erations( $e
Jnd ourse+%es )o$er+ess( and 6efore us an immeas3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 365/453
ura6+e a6'ss"
Pra' for*i%e a++ man5ind $ho $ere decei%ed in
thin5in* that matter e7isted 6' itse+f" Cou+d the'
do other$ise M &o$ are $e to ima*ine that $hat is
$ithout succession has not a+$a's 6eenM If it $ere
not necessar' for matter to e7ist( $h' shou+d it
e7istM And if it $ere necessar' that it shou+d 6e(
$h' shou+d it not ha%e 6een fore%erM No a7iom
QQ Phi+oso)hica+
has e%er 6een more uni%ersa++' recei%ed than this -
#Of nothin*( nothin* comes"# Indeed the contrar'
is incom)rehensi6+e" With e%er' nation( chaos )re3
ceded the arran*ement $hich a di%ine hand made
of the $ho+e $or+d" The eternit' of matter has
$ith no )eo)+e 6een in9urious to the $orshi) of the
Di%init'" Re+i*ion $as ne%er start+ed at the reco*3
nition of an eterna+ od as the master of an eterna+
matter" We of the )resent da' are so ha))' as to
5no$ 6' faith that od 6rou*ht matter out of noth3
in*4 6ut no nation has e%er 6een instructed in this
do*ma4 e%en the .e$s $ere i*norant of it" The
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 366/453
Jrst %erse of enesis sa's( that the ods E+o2im(
not E+oi made hea%en and earth" It does not sa'(
that hea%en and earth $ere created out of nothin*"
Phi+o( $ho +i%ed at the on+' time $hen the .e$s
had an' erudition( sa's( in his #Cha)ter on the Crea3
tion(# #od( 6ein* *ood 6' nature( 6ore no en%'
a*ainst su6stance( matter 4 $hich of itse+f had noth3
in* *ood( ha%in* 6' nature on+' inertness( confu3
sion( and disorder 4 it $as 6ad( and &e %ouchsafed
to ma5e it *ood"#
The idea of chaos )ut into order 6' a od( is to
6e found in a++ ancient theo*onies" &esiod re)eated
the o)inion of the Orienta+s( $hen he said in his
#Theo*on'(# #Chaos $as that $hich Jrst e7isted"#
The $ho+e Roman Em)ire s)o5e in these $ords of
O%id - #Sic u6i dis )osit am HuisHiiis fuit &ie Deo3
rum Con*eriem secuit"#
0atter then( in the hands of od( $as considered
Dictionar'" Q
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 367/453
+i5e c+a' under the )otter2s $hee+( if these fee6+e
ima*es ma' 6e used to e7)ress &is di%ine )o$er"
0atter( 6ein* eterna+( must ha%e had eterna+
)ro)erties as conJ*uration( the %is inertia-( motion(
and di%isi6i+it'" !ut this di%isi6i+it' is on+' a con3
seHuence of motion 4 for $ithout motion nothin* is
di%ided( nor se)arated( nor arran*ed" 0otion there3
fore $as re*arded as essentia+ to matter" Chaos
had 6een a confused motion( and the arran*ement
of the uni%erse $as a re*u+ar motion( communicated
to a++ 6odies 6' the 0aster of the $or+d" !ut ho$
can matter ha%e motion 6' itse+f( as it has( accordin*
to a++ the ancients( e7tent and di%isi6i+it' M
!ut it cannot 6e concei%ed to 6e $ithout e7tent(
and it ma' 6e concei%ed to 6e $ithout motion"
To this it $as ans$ered - It is im)ossi6+e that
matter shou+d not 6e )ermea6+e 4 and 6ein* )erme3
a6+e( somethin* must 6e continua++' )assin* throu*h
its )ores" Wh' shou+d there 6e )assa*es( if noth3
in* )assesM
Re)+' and re9oinder mi*ht thus 6e continued for3
e%er" The s'stem of the eternit' of matter( +i5e a++
other s'stems( has %er' *reat di8cu+ties" That of
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 368/453
the formation of matter out of nothin* is no +ess
incom)rehensi6+e" We must admit it( and not at3
ter ourse+%es $ith accountin* for it 4 )hi+oso)h'
does not account for e%er'thin*" &o$ man' incom3
)rehensi6+e thin*s are $e not o6+i*ed to admit( e%en
in *eometr' : Can an' one concei%e t$o +ines con3
stant+' a))roachin* each other( 'et ne%er meetin*M
Q> Phi+oso)hica+
eometricians indeed $i++ te++ 'ou( the )ro)er3
ties of as'm)totes are demonstrated4 'ou cannot
he+) admittin* them 6ut creation is not 4 $h' then
admit it M Wh' is it hard for 'ou to 6e+ie%e( +i5e a++
the ancients( in the eternit' of matterM The theo+o3
*ian $i++ )ress 'ou on the other side( and sa'-
#If 'ou 6e+ie%e in the eternit' of matter then 'ou
ac5no$+ed*e t$o )rinci)+es od and matter4 'ou
fa++ into the error of @oroaster and of 0anes"#
No ans$er can 6e *i%en to the *eometricians( for
those fo+5s 5no$ of nothin* 6ut their +ines( their
su)erJcies( and their so+ids 4 6ut 'ou ma' sa' to the
theo+o*ians- #Wherein am I a 0anichseanM &ere
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 369/453
are stones $hich an architect has not made( 6ut
of $hich he has erected an immense 6ui+din*" I do
not admit t$o architects4 the rou*h stones ha%e
o6e'ed )o$er and *enius"#
&a))i+'( $hate%er s'stem a man em6races( it is
in no $a' hurtfu+ to mora+it' 4 for $hat im)orts it
$hether matter is made or arran*edM od is sti++
an a6so+ute master" Whether chaos $as created out
of nothin*( or on+' reduced to order( it is sti++ our
dut' to 6e %irtuous 4 scarce+' an' of these meta3
)h'sica+ Huestions aect the conduct of +ife" It is
$ith dis)utes as $ith ta6+e ta+54 each one for*ets
after dinner $hat he has said( and *oes $hitherso3
e%er his interest or his inc+ination ca++s him"
Dictionar'" Q
0EETINS P/!LIC"
0EETIN( #assem6+es(# is a *enera+ term a))+i3
ca6+e to an' co++ection of )eo)+e for secu+ar( sacred(
)o+itica+( con%ersationa+( festi%e( or cor)orate )ur3
)oses4 in short( to a++ occasions on $hich num6ers
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 370/453
meet to*ether"
It is a term $hich )re%ents a++ %er6a+ dis)utes(
and a++ a6usi%e and in9urious im)+ications 6' $hich
men are in the ha6it of sti*mati1in* societies to
$hich the' do not themse+%es 6e+on*"
The +e*a+ meetin* or assem6+' of the Athenians
$as ca++ed the #church"# This $ord #church(# 6e3
in* )ecu+iar+' a))ro)riated amon* us to e7)ress a
con%ocation of Catho+ics in one )+ace( $e did not
in the Jrst instance a))+' it to the )u6+ic assem6+'
of Protestants 4 6ut used indeed the e7)ression #a
oc5 of &u*uenots"# Po+iteness ho$e%er( $hich in
time e7)+odes a++ no7ious terms( at +en*th em)+o'ed
for the )ur)ose the term #assem6+'# or #meetin*(#
$hich oends no one" In En*+and the dominant
Church a))+ies the name of #meetin*# to the
churches of a++ the non3conformists"
The $ord #assem6+'# is )articu+ar+' suita6+e to
a co++ection of )ersons in%ited to *o and )ass their
e%enin* at a house $here the host recei%es them
$ith courtes' and 5indness( and $here )+a'( con%er3
sation( su))er( and dancin*( constitute their amuse3
ments" If the num6er in%ited 6e sma++( it is not
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 371/453
Q Phi+oso)hica+
ca++ed an #assem6+'(# 6ut a #rende1%ous of friends# 4
and friends are ne%er %er' numerous"
Assem6+ies are ca++ed( in Ita+ian( #con%ersa3
1ione(# #ridotto# The $ord #ridotto# is )ro)er+'
$hat $e once si*niJed 6' the $ord #reduit(# in3
trenchment4 6ut #reduit# ha%in* sun5 into a term
of contem)t amon* us( our editors trans+ated
#ridout# 6' #redou6t# The )a)ers informed us(
amon* the im)ortant inte++i*ence contained in them
re+atin* to Euro)e( that man' no6+emen of the hi*h3
est consideration $ent to ta5e choco+ate at the house
of the )rincess !or*hese 4 and that there $as a re3
dou6t there" It $as announced to Euro)e( in an3
other )ara*ra)h( that there $ou+d 6e a redou6t on
the fo++o$in* Tuesda' at the house of her e7ce+3
+enc' the marchioness of SantaJor"
It $as found( ho$e%er( that in re+atin* the e%ents
of $ar( it $as necessar' to s)ea5 of rea+ redou6ts(
$hich in fact im)+ied thin*s actua++' redou6ta6+e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 372/453
and formida6+e( from $hich cannon $ere dis3
char*ed" The $ord $as( therefore( in such circum3
stances( o6%ious+' unsuita6+e to the #ridotti )aci3
Jci# the )aciJc redou6ts of mere amusement4 and
the o+d term #assem6+'# $as restored( $hich is in3
deed the on+' )ro)er one" #Rende1%ous# is occa3
siona++' used( 6ut it is more ada)ted to a sma++ com3
)an'( and most of a++ for t$o indi%idua+s"
Dictionar'" Q<
0ESSIA&"
Ad%ertisement"
T&IS artic+e is 6' 0" Po+ier de !ottens( of an o+d
French fami+'( sett+ed for t$o hundred 'ears in
S$it1er+and" &e is Jrst )astor of Lausanne( and
his 5no$+ed*e is eHua+ to his )iet'" &e com)osed
this artic+e for the *reat #Enc'c+o)aedia(# in $hich
it $as inserted" On+' those )assa*es $ere su)3
)ressed $hich the e7aminers thou*ht mi*ht 6e
a6used 6' the Catho+ics( +ess +earned and +ess )ious
than the author" It $as recei%ed $ith a))+ause 6'
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 373/453
a++ the $ise"
It $as )rinted at the same time in another sma++
dictionar'( and $as attri6uted in France to a man
$hom there $as no re+uctance to mo+est" The arti3
c+e $as su))osed to 6e im)ious( 6ecause it $as su)3
)osed to 6e 6' a +a'man 4 and the $or5 and its )re3
tended author $ere %io+ent+' attac5ed" The man
thus accused contented himse+f $ith +au*hin* at the
mista5e" &e 6ehe+d $ith com)assion this instance
of the errors and in9ustices $hich men are e%er' da'
committin* in their 9ud*ments 4 for he had the $ise
and +earned )riest2s manuscri)t( $ritten 6' his o$n
hand" It is sti++ in his )ossession( and $i++ 6e sho$n
to $hoe%er ma' choose to e7amine it" In it $i++ 6e
found the %er' erasures made 6' this +a'man him3
se+f( to )re%ent ma+i*nant inter)retations"
No$ $e re)rint this artic+e in a++ the inte*rit' of
the ori*ina+" We ha%e contracted it on+' to )re%ent
= Phi+oso)hica+
re)eatin* $hat $e ha%e )rinted e+se$here4 6ut $e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 374/453
ha%e not added a sin*+e $ord"
The 6est of this aair is( that one of the %enera6+e
author2s 6rethren $rote the most ridicu+ous thin*s
in the $or+d a*ainst this artic+e of his re%erend
6rother2s( thin5in* that he $as $ritin* a*ainst a
common enem'" This is +i5e J*htin* in the dar5(
$hen one is attac5ed 6' one2s o$n )art'"
It has a thousand times ha))ened that contro%er3
sia+ists ha%e condemned )assa*es in St" Au*ustine
and St" .erome( not 5no$in* that the' $ere 6' those
fathers" The' $ou+d anathemati1e a )art of the
Ne$ Testament if the' had not heard 6' $hom it
$as $ritten" Thus it is that men too often 9ud*e"
0essiah( #0essias"# This $ord comes from the
&e6re$( and is s'non'mous $ith the ree5 $ord
#Christ"# !oth are terms consecrated in re+i*ion(
$hich are no$ no +on*er *i%en to an' 6ut the
anointed 6' eminence the So%erei*n De+i%erer
$hom the ancient .e$ish )eo)+e e7)ected( for
$hose comin* the' sti++ si*h( and $hom the Chris3
tians Jnd in the )erson of .esus the Son of 0ar'(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 375/453
$hom the' consider as the anointed of the Lord( the
0essiah )romised to humanit'" The ree5s a+so
use the $ord #E+cimmeros# meanin* the same thin*
as #Christ os"#
X
In the O+d Testament $e see that the $ofd #0es3
siah(# far from 6ein* )ecu+iar to the De+i%erer( for
$hose comin* the )eo)+e of Israe+ si*hed( $as not
Dictionar'" ;
e%en so to the true and faithfu+ ser%ants of od( 6ut
that this name $as often *i%en to ido+atrous 5in*s
and )rinces( $ho $ere( in the hands of the Eterna+(
the ministers of &is %en*eance( or instruments for
e7ecutin* the counse+s of &,is $isdom" So the au3
thor of #Ecc+esiasticus# sa's of E+isha - #ui un*is
re*es ad )enitentiam# 4 or( as it is rendered 6' the
#Se)tua*int(# #ad %indictam# #?ou anoint 5in*s
to e7ecute the %en*eance of the Lord"# Therefore
&e sent a )ro)het to anoint .ehu( 5in* of Israe+( and
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 376/453
announced sacred unction to &a1ae+( 5in* of Damas3
cus and S'ria 4 those t$o )rinces 6ein* the 0es3
siahs of the 0ost &i*h( to re%en*e the crimes and
a6ominations of the house of Aha6"
!ut in Isaiah( 7+%"( i( the name of 0essiah is
e7)ress+' *i%en to C'rus - #Thus saith the Lord to
C'rus( &is anointed( &is 0essiah( $hose ri*ht hand
I ha%e ho+den to su6due nations 6efore him"# etc"
E1e5ie+( in his Re%e+ations( 77%iii"( ;Q( *i%es the
name of 0essiah to the 5in* of T're( $hom he a+so
ca++s Cheru6in( and s)ea5s of him and his *+or' in
terms fu++ of an em)hasis of $hich it is easier to
fee+ the 6eauties than to catch the sense" #Son of
man(# sa's the Eterna+ to the )ro)het( #ta5e u) a
+amentation u)on the 5in* of T're( and sa' unto him(
Thus saith the Lord od 4 thou sea+est u) the sun(
fu++ of $isdom( and )erfect in 6eaut'" Thou hast
6een the Lord2s arden of Eden# or( accordin* to
other %ersions( #Thou $ast a++ the Lord2s de+i*ht#
#e%er' )recious stone $as th' co%erin* 4 the sardius(
Phi+oso)hica+
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 377/453
to)a1( and the diamond9 the 6er'+( the on'7( and the
9as)er4 the sa))hire( the emera+d( and the car6unc+e
and *o+d- the $or5manshi) of th' ta6rets and th'
)i)es $as )re)ared in thee in the da' that thou
$ast created" Thou $ast a Cheru6in( a 0essiah(
for )rotection( and I set thee u)4 thou hast 6een
u)on the ho+' mountain of od4 thou hast $a+5ed
u) and do$n in the midst of the stones of Jre"
Thou $ast )erfect in th' $a's from the da' that
thou $as created ti++ iniHuit' $as found in thee"#
And the name of 0essiah( in ree5( Christ( $as
*i%en to the 5in*( )ro)hets( and hi*h )riests of the
&e6re$s" We read( in I" Kin*s( 7ii"( - #The Lord
is $itness a*ainst 'ou( and his 0essiah is $itness# 4
that is( the 5in* $hom he has set u)" And e+se3
$here - #Touch not m' Anointed 4 do no e%i+ to m'
)ro)hets # Da%id( animated 6' the S)irit of
od( re)eated+' *i%es to his father3in3+a$ Sau+(
$hom he had no cause to +o%e he *i%es( I sa'( to
this re)ro6ate 5in*( from $hom the S)irit of the
Eterna+ $as $ithdra$n( the name and tit+e of
Anointed( or 0essiah of the Lord" #od )reser%e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 378/453
me(# sa's he freHuent+'( #from +a'in* m' hand u)on
the Lord2s Anointed( u)on od2s 0essiah"#
If the Jne tit+e of 0essiah( or Anointed of the
Eterna+( $as *i%en to ido+atrous 5in*s( to crue+ and
t'rannica+ )rinces( it %er' often indeed( in" our an3
cient orac+es( desi*nated the rea+ Anointed of the
Lord( the 0essiah 6' eminence4 the o69ect of the
desire and e7)ectation of a++ the faithfu+ of Israe+"
Dictionar'" G
Thus &annah( the mother of Samue+( conc+uded her
cantic+e $ith these remar5a6+e $ords( $hich cannot
a))+' to an' 5in*( for $e 5no$ that at that time the
.e$s had not one - #The Lord sha++ 9ud*e the ends
of the earth 4 and &e sha++ *i%e stren*th unto &is
5in*( and e7a+t the horn of &is 0essiah"# We Jnd
the same $ord in the fo++o$in* orac+es - Psa+m n(
4 .eremiah( Lamentations( i%( =4 Danie+( i7( 4
&a6a55u5( iii( ;G"
If $e com)are a++ these dierent orac+es( and in
*enera+ a++ those ordinari+' a))+ied to the 0essiah(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 379/453
there $i++ resu+t contradictions( a+most irreconci+3
a6+e( 9ustif'in* to a certain )oint the o6stinac' of
the )eo)+e to $hom these orac+es $ere *i%en"
&o$ indeed cou+d these 6e concei%ed( 6efore the
e%ent had so $e++ 9ustiJed it in the )erson of .esus(
Son of 0ar' M &o$( I sa'( cou+d there 6e concei%ed
an inte++i*ence in some sort di%ine and human to3
*ether4 a 6ein* 6oth *reat and +o%e+'( trium)hin*
o%er the de%i+( 'et tem)ted and carried a$a' 6' that
inferna+ s)irit( that )rince of the )o$ers of the air(
and made to tra%e+ in s)ite of himse+f4 at once
master and ser%ant( 5in* and su69ect( sacriJcer and
%ictim( morta+ and immorta+( rich and )oor( a *+ori3
ous conHueror( $hose rei*n sha++ ha%e no end( $ho
is to su6due a++ nature 6' )rodi*ies( and 'et a man
of sorro$s( $ithout the con%eniences( often $ithout
the a6so+ute necessaries of this +ife( of $hich he ca++s
himse+f 5in* 4 and that he comes( co%ered $ith *+or'
and honor( terminatin* a +ife of innocence and
Q Phi+oso)hica+
$retchedness( of incessant crosses and contradic3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 380/453
tions( 6' a death a+i5e shamefu+ and crue+( Jndin*
in this %er' humi+iation( this e7traordinar' a6ase3
ment( the source of an un)ara++e+ed e+e%ation( $hich
raises him to the summit of *+or'( )o$er( and fe3
+icit' 4 that is( to the ran5 of the Jrst of creatures M
A++ Christians a*ree in Jndin* these character3
istics( a))arent+' so incom)ati6+e( in the )erson of
.esus of Na1areth( $hom the' ca++ the #Christ# 4 &is
fo++o$ers *a%e &im this tit+e 6' eminence( not that
&e had 6een anointed in a sensi6+e and materia+
manner( as some 5in*s( )ro)hets( and sacriJcers an3
cient+' $ere( 6ut 6ecause the Di%ine S)irit had
desi*nated &im for those *reat o8ces( and &e had
recei%ed the s)iritua+ unction necessar' thereunto"
We had )roceeded thus far on so com)etent an
artic+e( $hen a Dutch )reacher( more ce+e6rated for
this disco%er' than for the indierent )roductions
of a *enius other$ise fee6+e and i++3formed( sho$ed
to us that our Lord .esus Christ( the 0essiah of
od( $as anointed at the three *rand )eriods of &is
+ife( as our Kin*( our Pro)het( and our SacriJcer"
At the time of &is 6a)tism( the %oice of the So%3
erei*n 0aster of nature dec+ared &im to 6e &is
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 381/453
Son( &is on+'( &is $e++36e+o%ed Son( and for that
%er' reason &is re)resentati%e"
When on 0ount Ta6or &e $as transJ*ured and
associated $ith 0oses and E+iasY( the same su)er3
natura+ %oice announces &im to humanit' as the
Son of &im $ho +o%es and $ho sends the )ro)hets 4
Dictionar'"
as &e $ho is to 6e hear5ened to in )reference to
a++ others"
In ethsemane( an an*e+ comes do$n from
hea%en to su))ort &im in the e7treme an*uish occa3
sioned 6' the a))roach of &is torments( and
stren*then &im a*ainst the terri6+e a))rehensions
of a death $hich &e cannot a%oid( and ena6+e &im
to 6ecome a sacriJcer the more e7ce++ent( as &imse+f
is the )ure and innocent %ictim that &e is a6out to
oer"
The 9udicious Dutch )reacher( a disci)+e of the i+3
+ustrious Cocceius( Jnds the sacramenta+ oi+ of these
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 382/453
dierent ce+estia+ unctions in the %isi6+e si*ns $hich
the )o$er of od caused to a))ear on &is anointed 4
in &is 6a)tism( #the shado$ of the do%e(# re)resent3
in* the &o+' host comin* do$n from &im 4 on
Ta6or( the #miracu+ous c+oud(# $hich en%e+o)ed
&im 4 in ethsemane( the #6+ood' s$eat(# $hich
co%ered &is $ho+e 6od'"
After this( it $ou+d indeed 6e the hei*ht of in3
credu+it' not to reco*ni1e 6' these mar5s the Lord2s
Anointed 6' eminence the )romised 0essiah4 nor
dou6t+ess cou+d $e su8cient+' de)+ore the incon3
cei%a6+e 6+indness of the .e$ish )eo)+e( 6ut that it
$as )art of the )+an of od2s inJnite $isdom( and
$as( in &is mercifu+ %ie$s( essentia+ to the accom3
)+ishment of &is $or5 and the sa+%ation of hu3
manit'"
!ut it must a+so 6e ac5no$+ed*ed( that in the
state of o))ression in $hich the .e$ish )eo)+e $ere
> Phi+oso)hica+
*roanin*( and after a++ the *+orious )romises $hich
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 383/453
the Eterna+ had so often made them( the' must ha%e
+on*ed for the comin* of a 0essiah( and +oo5ed
to$ards it as the )eriod of their ha))' de+i%erance 4
and that the' are therefore to an e7tent e7cusa6+e
for not ha%in* reco*ni1ed a de+i%erer in the )erson
of the Lord .esus( since it is in man2s nature to care
more for the 6od' than for the s)irit( and to 6e more
sensi6+e to )resent $ants than attered 6' ad%an3
ta*es #to come(# and for that %er' reason( a+$a's
uncertain"
It must indeed 6e 6e+ie%ed that A6raham( and
after him a %er' sma++ num6er of )atriarchs and
)ro)hets( $ere ca)a6+e of formin* an idea of the na3
ture of the s)iritua+ rei*n of the 0essiah 4 6ut these
ideas $ou+d necessari+' 6e +imited to the narro$ cir3
c+e of the ins)ired( and it is not astonishin* that(
6ein* un5no$n to the mu+titude( these notions $ere
so far a+tered that(( $hen the Sa%iour a))eared in
.udaea( the )eo)+e( their doctors( and e%en their
)rinces( e7)ected a monarch a conHueror $ho(
6' the ra)idit' of his conHuests $as to su6due the
$ho+e $or+d" And ho$ cou+d these atterin* ideas
6e reconci+ed $ith the a69ect and a))arent+' miser3
a6+e condition of .esus ChristM So( fee+in* scanda3
+i1ed 6' &is announcin* &imse+f as the 0essiah(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 384/453
the' )ersecuted &im( re9ected &im( and )ut &im to
the most i*nominious death" &a%in* #since then
found nothin* tendin* to the fu+J+ment of their
orac+es( and 6ein* un$i++in* to renounce them( the'
Dictionar'"
indu+*e in a++ sorts of ideas( each one more chimeri3
ca+ than the one )recedin*"
Thus( $hen the' 6ehe+d the trium)hs of the
Christian re+i*ion( and found that most of their an3
cient orac+es mi*ht 6e e7)+ained s)iritua++'( and a)3
)+ied to .esus Christ( the' thou*ht )ro)er( a*ainst
the o)inion of their fathers( to den' that the )assa*es
$hich $e a++e*e a*ainst them are to 6e understood
of the 0essiah( thus torturin* our &o+' Scri)tures
to their o$n +oss"
Some of them maintain that their orac+es ha%e
6een misunderstood4 that it is in %ain to +on* for
the comin* of a 0essiah( since &e has a+read' come
in the )erson of E1echias" Such $as the o)inion of
the famous &i++e+" Others more +a7( or )o+ite+'
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 385/453
'ie+din* to times and circumstances( assert that the
6e+ief in the comin* of a 0essiah is not a funda3
menta+ artic+e of faith( and that the den'in* of this
do*ma either does not in9ure the inte*rit' of the
+a$( or in9ures it 6ut s+i*ht+'" Thus the .e$ A+6o
said to the )o)e( that #to den' the comin* of the
0essiah $as on+' to cut o a 6ranch of the tree
$ithout touchin* the root"#
The ce+e6rated ra66i( So+omon .archi or Raschi(
$ho +i%ed at the commencement of the t$e+fth cen3
tur'( sa's( in his #Ta+mudes(# that the ancient &e3
6re$s 6e+ie%ed the 0essiah to ha%e 6een 6orn on
the da' of the +ast destruction of .erusa+em 6' the
Roman armies" This is indeed ca++in* in the )h'si3
cian $hen the man is dead"
Vo+" ;;;
Phi+oso)hica+
The ra66i Kimchi( $ho a+so +i%ed in the t$e+fth
centur'( announced that the 0essiah( $hose comin*
he 6e+ie%ed to 6e %er' near( $ou+d dri%e the Chris3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 386/453
tians out of .udaea( $hich $as then in their )os3
session4 and it is true that the Christians +ost the
&o+' Land4 6ut it $as Sa+adin $ho %anHuished
them" &ad that conHueror 6ut )rotected the .e$s(
and dec+ared for them( it is not un+i5e+' that in their
enthusiasm the' $ou+d ha%e made him their 0es3
siah"
Sacred $riters( and our Lord .esus &imse+f(
often com)are the rei*n of the 0essiah and eterna+
6eatitude to a nu)tia+ festi%a+ or a 6anHuet 4 6ut the
Ta+mudists ha%e stran*e+' a6used these )ara6+es 4
accordin* to them( the 0essiah $i++ *i%e to his )eo3
)+e( assem6+ed in the +and of Canaan( a re)ast in
$hich the $ine $i++ 6e that $hich $as made 6'
Adam himse+f in the terrestria+ )aradise( and $hich
is 5e)t dr'( in %ast ce++ars( 6' the an*e+s at the
centre of the earth"
At the Jrst course $i++ 6e ser%ed u) the famous
Jsh ca++ed the *reat Le%iathan( $hich s$a++o$s u)
at once a sma++er Jsh( $hich sma++er Jsh is ne%erthe3
+ess three hundred +ea*ues +on* 4 the $ho+e mass of
the $aters is +aid u)on Le%iathan" In the 6e*innin*
od created a ma+e and a fema+e of this Jsh 4 6ut
+est the' shou+d o%erturn the +and( and J++ the $or+d
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 387/453
$ith their 5ind( od 5i++ed the fema+e( a#hd sa+ted
her for the 0essiah2s feast"
The ra66is add( that there $i++ a+so 6e 5i++ed for
Dictionar'" <
this re)ast the 6u++ !ehemoth( $hich is so +ar*e that
he eats each da' the ha' from a thousand mountains"
The fema+e of this 6u++ $as 5i++ed in the 6e*innin*
of the $or+d( that so )rodi*ious a s)ecies mi*ht not
mu+ti)+'( since this cou+d on+' ha%e in9ured the
other creatures 4 6ut the' assure us that the Eterna+
did not sa+t her( 6ecause dried co$ is not so *ood as
she3Le%iathan" The .e$s sti++ )ut such faith in
these ra66inica+ re%eries that the' often s$ear 6'
their share of the 6u++ !ehemoth( as some im)ious
Christians s$ear 6' their share of )aradise"
After such *ross ideas of the comin* of the 0es3
siah( and of &is rei*n( is it astonishin* that the
.e$s( ancient as $e++ as modern( and a+so some of
the )rimiti%e Christians unha))i+' tinctured $ith
a++ these re%eries( cou+d not e+e%ate themse+%es to
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 388/453
the idea of the di%ine nature of the Lord2s Anointed(
and did not consider the 0essiah as odM O6ser%e
ho$ the .e$s e7)ress themse+%es on this )oint in
the $or5 entit+ed #.udcei Lusitani ustiones ad
Christianas#" #To ac5no$+ed*e a od3man(# sa'
the'( #is to a6use 'our o$n reason( to ma5e to 'our3
se+f a monster a centaur the stran*e com)ound
of t$o natures $hich cannot coa+esce"# The' add(
that the )ro)hets do not teach that the 0essiah is
od3man 4 that the' e7)ress+' distin*uish 6et$een
od and Da%id( dec+arin* the former to 6e 0aster(
the +atter ser%ant"
When the Sa%iour a))eared( the )ro)hecies(
thou*h c+ear( $ere unfortunate+' o6scured 6' the
;>= Phi+oso)hica+
)re9udices im6i6ed e%en at the mother2s 6reast" .e3
sus Christ &imse+f( either from deference to$ards
or for fear of shoc5in*( the )u6+ic o)inion( seems to
ha%e 6een %er' reser%ed concernin* &is di%init'"
#&e $ished(# sa's St" Chr'sostom( #insensi6+' to
accustom &is auditors to the 6e+ief of a m'ster' so
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 389/453
far a6o%e their reason" If &e ta5es u)on &im the
authorit' of a od( 6' )ardonin* sin( this action
raises u) a*ainst &im a++ $ho are $itnesses of it"
&is most e%ident mirac+es cannot e%en con%ince of
&is di%init' those in $hose fa%or the' are $or5ed"
When( 6efore the tri6una+ of the So%erei*n Sacri3
Jcer( &e ac5no$+ed*es( 6' a modest intimation( that
&e is the Son of od( the hi*h )riest tears his ro6e
and cries( 2!+as)hem' :2 !efore the sendin* of the
&o+' host( the a)ost+es did not e%en sus)ect the
di%init' of their dear 0aster" &e as5s them $hat
the )eo)+e thin5 of &im4 and the' ans$er( that
some ta5e &im for E+ias( other for .eremiah( or
some other )ro)het" A )articu+ar re%e+ation is nec3
essar' to ma5e 5no$n to St" Peter( that .esus is the
Christ( the Son of the +i%in* od"#
The .e$s( re%o+tin* a*ainst the di%init' of Christ(
ha%e resorted to a++ sorts of e7)edients to destro'
this *reat m'ster' 4 the' distort the meanin* of
their o$n orac+es( or do not a))+' them to the
0essiah 4 the' assert that the name of od( #E+o2i(#
is not )ecu+iar to the Di%init'( 6ut is *i%en( 2e%en 6'
sacred $riters( to 9ud*es( to ma*istrates( and in
*enera+ to such as are hi*h in authorit'4 the' do(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 390/453
Dictionar'" >;
indeed( cite a *reat man' )assa*es of the &o+'
Scri)tures that 9ustif' this o6ser%ation( 6ut $hich
do not in the +east aect the e7)ress terms of the
ancient orac+es concernin* the 0essiah"
Last+'( the' assert( that if the Sa%iour( and after
&im the e%an*e+ists( the a)ost+es( and the Jrst Chris3
tians( ca++ .esus the Son of od( this au*ust term
did not in the e%an*e+ica+ times si*nif' an'thin* 6ut
the o))osite of son of !e+ia+ that is( a *ood man(
a ser%ant of od( in o))osition to a $ic5ed man( one
$ithout the fear of od"
If the .e$s ha%e dis)uted $ith .esus Christ &is
Hua+it' of 0essiah and &is di%init'( the' ha%e a+so
used e%er' endea%or to 6rin* &im into contem)t(
6' castin* on &is 6irth( &is +ife( and &is death(
a++ the ridicu+e and o))ro6rium that their crimina+
ma+e%o+ence cou+d ima*ine"
Of a++ the $or5s $hich the 6+indness of the .e$s
has )roduced( there is none more odious and more
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 391/453
e7tra%a*ant than the ancient 6oo5 entit+ed #Se)her
To+dos .eschu(# 6rou*ht to +i*ht 6' Wa*ensei+( in
the second %o+ume of his $or5 entit+ed #Te+a I*3
nea(# etc"
In this #Se)her To+dos .eschu(# $e Jnd a mon3
strous histor' of the +ife of our Sa%iour( for*ed $ith
the utmost )assion and disin*enuousness" For in3
stance( the' ha%e dared to $rite that one Panther(
or Pandera( an inha6itant of !eth+ehem( fe++ in +o%e
$ith a 'oun* $oman married to .o5anam" !' this
im)ure commerce he had a son ca++ed .esua or .esu"
> Phi+oso)hica+
The father of this chi+d $as o6+i*ed to '( and re3
tired to !a6'+on" As for 'oun* .esu( he $as not
sent to the schoo+s 4 6ut adds our author he had
the inso+ence to raise his 3head and unco%er himse+f
6efore the sacriJcers( instead of a))earin* 6efore
them $ith his head 6ent do$n and his face co%ered(
as $as the custom a )iece of eronter' $hich $as
$arm+' re6u5ed4 this caused his 6irth to 6e in3
Huired into( $hich $as found to 6e im)ure( and soon
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 392/453
e7)osed him to i*nomin'"
This detesta6+e 6oo5( #Se)her To Idas .eschu(#
$as 5no$n in the second centur' - Ce+sus conJdent+'
cites it and Ori*en refutes it in his ninth cha)ter"
There is another 6oo5 a+so entit+ed #To+dos
.eschu (# )u6+ished 6' &u+dric in ;=G( $hich more
c+ose+' fo++o$s the #os)e+ of the Infanc'(# 6ut
$hich is fu++ of the *rossest anachronisms" It )+aces
6oth the 6irth and death of .esus Christ in the rei*n
of &erod the reat( statin* that com)+aints $ere
made of the adu+ter' of Panther and 0ar'( the
mother of .esus( to that )rince"
The author( $ho ta5es the name of .onathan( and
ca++s himse+f a contem)orar' of .esus Christ( +i%in*
at .erusa+em( )retends that &erod consu+ted( in the
aair of .esus Christ( the senators of a cit' in the
+and of esarea" ?e $i++ not fo++o$ so a6surd an
author throu*h a++ his contradictions"
?et it is under co%er of a++ these ca+umnies that
the .e$s 5ee) u) their im)+aca6+e hatred a*ainst
the Christians and the *os)e+" The' ha%e done their
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 393/453
Dictionar'" >G
utmost to a+ter the chrono+o*' of the O+d Testament(
and to raise dou6ts and di8cu+ties res)ectin* the
time of our Sa%iour2s comin*"
Ahmed36en3Cassum3+a3Andacous'( a 0oor of
ranada( $ho +i%ed a6out the c+ose of the si73
teenth centur'( cites an ancient Ara6ian manuscri)t(
$hich $as found( to*ether $ith si7teen )+ates of
+ead en*ra%ed $ith Ara6ian characters( in a *rotto
near ranada" Don Pedro ' uinones( arch6isho)
of ranada( has himse+f 6orne testimon' to this fact"
These +eaden )+ates( ca++ed those of ranada( $ere
after$ards carried to Rome( $here( after se%era+
'ears2 in%esti*ation( the' $ere at +ast condemned
as a)ocr')ha+( in the )ontiJcate of A+e7ander VII" 4
the' contain on+' fa6u+ous stories re+atin* to the
+i%es of 0ar' and her Son"
The time of 0essiah( cou)+ed $ith the e)ithet
#fa+se(# is sti++ *i%en to those im)ostors $ho( at %a3
rious times( ha%e sou*ht to a6use the credu+it' of
the .e$ish nation" There $ere some of these fa+se
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 394/453
0essiahs e%en 6efore the comin* of the true
Anointed of od" The $ise ama+ie+ mentions one
Theodas( $hose histor' $e read in .ose)hus2 #.e$3
ish AntiHuities(# 6oo5 77" cha)" " &e 6oasted of
crossin* the .ordan $ithout $ettin* his feet 4 he
dre$ man' )eo)+e after him 4 6ut the Romans( ha%3
in* fa++en u)on his +itt+e troo)( dis)ersed them( cut
o the head of their unfortunate chief( and e7)osed
it in .erusa+em"
ama+ie+ a+so s)ea5s of .udas the a+i+ean( $ho
Phi+oso)hica+
is dou6t+ess the same of $hom .ose)hus ma5es men3
tion in the second cha)ter of the second 6oo5 of the
22.e$ish War"# &e sa's that this fa+se )ro)het had
*athered to*ether near+' thirt' thousand men 4 6ut
h')er6o+e is the .e$ish historian2s characteristic"
In the a)osto+ic times( there $as Simon( sur3
named the 0a*ician( $ho contri%ed to 6e$itch the
)eo)+e of Samaria( so that the' considered him as
#the *reat )o$er of od"#
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 395/453
In the fo++o$in* centur'( in the 'ears ; and
;< of the Christian era( in the rei*n of Adrian( a)3
)eared the fa+se 0essiah( !arcoche6as( at the head
of an arm'" The em)eror sent a*ainst them .u+ius
Se%erus( $ho( after se%era+ encounters( enc+osed
them in the to$n of Either 4 after an o6stinate de3
fence it $as carried( and !arcoche6as ta5en and
)ut to death" Adrian thou*ht he cou+d not 6etter
)re%ent the continua+ re%o+t of the .e$s than 6' is3
suin* an edict( for6iddin* them to *o to .erusa+em 4
he a+so had *uards stationed at the *ates of the cit'(
to )re%ent the rest of the )eo)+e of Israe+ from en3
terin* it"
We read in Socrates( an ecc+esiastica+ historian(
that in the 'ear QGQ( there a))eared in the is+and of
Candia a fa+se 0essiah ca++in* himse+f 0oses" &e
said he $as the ancient de+i%erer of the &e6re$s(
raised from the dead to de+i%er them a*ain""
A centur' after$ards( in G=( there $as in Pa+3
estine a fa+se 0essiah named .u+ian 4 he announced
himse+f as a *reat conHueror( $ho( at the head of his
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 396/453
Dictionar'" >
nation( shou+d destro' 6' arms the $ho+e Christian
)eo)+e" Seduced 6' his )romises( the armed .e$s
6utchered man' of the Christians" The em)eror
.ustinian sent troo)s a*ainst him 4 6att+e $as *i%en
to the fa+se Christ 4 he $as ta5en( and condemned to
the most i*nominious death"
At the 6e*innin* of the ei*hth centur'( Serenus(
a S)anish .e$( *a%e himse+f out as a 0essiah(
)reached( had some disci)+es( and( +i5e them( died
in miser'"
Se%era+ fa+se 0essiahs arose in the t$e+fth cen3
tur'" One a))eared in France in the rei*n of Louis
the ?oun*4 he and a++ his adherents $ere han*ed(
$ithout its e%er 6ein* 5no$n $hat $as the name
of the master or of the disci)+es"
The thirteenth centur' $as fruitfu+ in fa+se 0es3
siahs 4 there a))eared se%en or ei*ht in Ara6ia( Per3
sia( S)ain( and 0ora%ia 4 one of them( ca++in* him3
se+f Da%id e+ Ro'( )assed for a %er' *reat ma*ician 4
he reduced the .e$s( and $as at the head of a con3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 397/453
sidera6+e )art' 4 6ut this 0essiah $as assassinated"
.ames @ei*+er( of 0ora%ia( $ho +i%ed in the mid3
d+e of the si7teenth centur'( announced the a)3
)roachin* manifestation of the 0essiah( 6orn( as
he dec+ared( fourteen 'ears 6efore 4 he had seen him(
he said( at Stras6ur*( and he 5e)t 6' him $ith *reat
care a s$ord and a sce)tre( to )+ace them in his
hands as soon as he shou+d 6e o+d enou*h to teach"
In the 'ear ;>Q( another @ei*+er conJrmed the )re3
diction of the former"
>> Phi+oso)hica+
In the 'ear ;>>>( Sa6atei Se%i( 6orn at A+e))o(
ca++ed himse+f the 0essiah foreto+d 6' the @ei*+ers"
&e 6e*an $ith )reachin* on the hi*h$a's and in
the Je+ds( the Tur5s +au*hin* at him( $hi+e his dis3
ci)+es admired him" It a))ears that he did not
*ain o%er the mass of the .e$ish nation at Jrst4
for the chiefs of the s'na*o*ue of Sm'rna )assed
sentence of death a*ainst him 4 6ut he esca)ed $ith
the fear on+'( and $ith 6anishment"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 398/453
&e contracted three marria*es( of $hich it is as3
serted he did not consummate one( sa'in* that it
$as 6eneath him so to do" &e too5 into )artnershi)
one Nathan Le%i 4 the +atter )ersonated the )ro)het
E+ias( $ho $as to *o 6efore the 0essiah" The' re3
)aired to .erusa+em( and Nathan there announced
Sa6atei Se%i as the de+i%erer of nations" The .e$3
ish )o)u+ace dec+ared for them( 6ut such as had an'3
thin* to +ose anathemati1ed them"
To a%oid the storm( Se%i ed to Constantino)+e(
and thence to Sm'rna( $hither Nathan Le%i sent to
him four am6assadors( $ho ac5no$+ed*ed and )u63
+ic+' sa+uted him as the 0essiah" This em6ass' im3
)osed on the )eo)+e( and a+so on some of the doctors(
$ho dec+ared Sa6atei Se%i to 6e the 0essiah( and
5in* of the &e6re$s" !ut the s'na*o*ue of Sm'r3
na condemned its 5in* to 6e im)a+ed"
Sa6atei )ut himse+f under the )rotection of the
cadi of Sm'rna( and soon had the $ho+e .e$ish )eo3
)+e on his side 4 he had t$o thrones )re)ared( one
for himse+f( the other for his fa%orite $ife 4 he too5
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 399/453
Dictionar'" >
the tit+e of 5in* of 5in*s( and *a%e to his 6rother(
.ose)h Se%i( that of 5in* of .udah" &e )romised
the .e$s the certain conHuest of the Ottoman Em3
)ire 4 and e%en carried his inso+ence so far as to ha%e
the em)eror2s name struc5 out of the .e$ish +itur*'(
and his o$n su6stituted"
&e $as thro$n into )rison at the Dardane++es4
and the .e$s *a%e out that his +ife $as s)ared on+'
6ecause the Tur5s $e++ 5ne$ he $as immorta+" The
*o%ernor of the Dardane++es *re$ rich 6' the )res3
ents $hich the .e$s +a%ished( in order to %isit their
5in*( their im)risoned 0essiah( $ho( thou*h in
irons( retained a++ his di*nit'( and made them 5iss
his feet"
0ean$hi+e the su+tan( $ho $as ho+din* his court
at Adriano)+e( reso+%ed to )ut an end to this farce -
he sent for Se%i( and to+d him that if he $as the
0essiah he must 6e in%u+nera6+e 4 to $hich Se%i
assented" The *rand si*ner then had him )+aced
as a mar5 for the arro$s of his ico*+ans" The 0es3
siah confessed that he $as not in%u+nera6+e( and
)rotested that od sent him on+' to 6ear testimon'
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 400/453
to the ho+' 0ussu+man re+i*ion" !ein* 6eaten 6'
the ministers of the +a$( he turned 0ahometan 4 he
+i%ed and died eHua++' des)ised 6' the .e$s and
0ussu+mans 4 $hich cast such discredit on the )ro3
fession of fa+se 0essiah( that Se%i $as the +ast
that a))eared"
> Phi+oso)hica+
0ETA0ORP&OSIS"
IT 0A? %er' natura++' 6e su))osed that the met3
amor)hoses $ith $hich our earth a6ounds su*3
*ested the ima*ination to the Orienta+s $ho ha%e
ima*ined e%er'thin* that the sou+s of men )assed
from one 6od' to another" An a+most im)erce)ti6+e
)oint 6ecomes a *ru6( and that *ru6 6ecomes a 6ut3
ter' 4 an acorn is transformed into an oa5 4 an e**
into a 6ird4 $ater 6ecomes c+oud and thunder4
$ood is chan*ed into Jre and ashes 4 e%er'thin*(
in short( in nature( a))ears to 6e metamor)hosed"
What $as thus o6%ious+' and distinct+' )erce)ti6+e
in *rosser 6odies $as soon concei%ed to ta5e )+ace
$ith res)ect to sou+s( $hich $ere considered s+i*ht(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 401/453
shado$'( and scarce+' materia+ J*ures" The idea
of metem)s'chosis is )erha)s the most ancient do*3
ma of the 5no$n $or+d( and )re%ai+s sti++ in a *reat
)art of India and of China"
It is hi*h+' )ro6a6+e( a*ain( that the %arious met3
amor)hoses $hich $e $itness in nature )roduced
those ancient fa6+es $hich O%id has co++ected and
em6e++ished in his admira6+e $or5" E%en the .e$s
had their metamor)hoses" If Nio6e $as chan*ed
into a stone( Edith( the $ife of Lot( $as chan*ed
into a statue of sa+t" If Eur'dice remained in he++
for ha%in* +oo5ed 6ehind her( it $as for )recise+'
the same indiscretion that this $ife of Lot $as
de)ri%ed of her human nature" The %i++a*e in
$hich !aucis and Phi+emon resided in Phr'*ia is
Dictionar'" ><
chan*ed into a +a5e4 the same e%ent occurs to
Sodom" The dau*hters of Anius con%erted $ater
into oi+ 4 $e ha%e in Scri)ture a metamor)hosis %er'
simi+ar( 6ut more true and more sacred" Cadmus
$as chan*ed into a ser)ent 4 the rod of Aaron 6e3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 402/453
comes a ser)ent a+so"
The *ods freHuent+' chan*e themse+%es into
men 4 the .e$s ne%er sa$ an*e+s 6ut in the form of
men 4 an*e+s ate $ith A6raham" Pau+( in his Sec3
ond E)ist+e to the Corinthians( sa's that an an*e+
of Satan has 6ueted him- #An*e+us Satance me
co+a)hiset"#
0ETAP&?SICS"
#Trans naturam(# 6e'ond nature" !ut $hat
is that $hich is 6e'ond natureM !' nature( it is to
6e )resumed( is meant matter( and meta)h'sics re3
+ates to that $hich is not matter"
For e7am)+e - to 'our reasonin*( $hich is neither
+on*( nor $ide( nor hi*h( nor so+id( nor )ointed 4
'our sou+( to 'ourse+f un5no$n( $hich )roduces
'our reasonin*"
S)irits( $hich the $or+d has a+$a's ta+5ed of(
and to $hich man5ind a))ro)riated( for a +on* )e3
riod( a 6od' so attenuated and shado$'( that it
cou+d scarce+' 6e ca++ed 6od' 4 6ut from $hich( at
+en*th( the' ha%e remo%ed e%er' shado$ of 6od'(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 403/453
$ithout 5no$in* $hat it $as that $as +eft"
The manner in $hich these s)irits )ercei%e( $ith3
out an' em6arrassment( from the J%e senses4 in
= Phi+oso)hica+
$hich the' thin5( $ithout a head4 and in $hich
the' communicate their thou*hts( $ithout $ords
and si*ns"
Fina++'( od( $hom $e 5no$ 6' &is $or5s( 6ut
$hom our )ride im)e+s us to deJne4 od( $hose
)o$er $e fee+ to 6e immense 4 od( 6et$een $hom
and ourse+%es e7ists the a6'ss of inJnit'( and 'et
$hose nature $e dare to attem)t to fathom"
These are the o69ects of meta)h'sics" We
mi*ht further add to these the )rinci)+es of )ure
mathematics( )oints $ithout e7tension( +ines $ith3
out $idth( su)erJcies $ithout thic5ness( units inJ3
nite+' di%isi6+e( etc"
!a'+e himse+f considered these o69ects as those
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 404/453
$hich $ere denominated #entia rationis(# 6ein*s of
reason 4 the' are( ho$e%er( in fact( on+' materia+
thin*s considered in their masses( their su)erJcies(
their sim)+e +en*ths and 6readths( and the e7tremi3
ties of these sim)+e +en*ths and 6readths" A++ meas3
ures are )recise and demonstrated" 0eta)h'sics has
nothin* to do $ith *eometr'"
Thus a man ma' 6e a meta)h'sician $ithout
6ein* a *eometrician" 0eta)h'sics is more enter3
tainin*4 it constitutes often the romance of the
mind" In *eometr'( on the contrar'( $e must ca+3
cu+ate and measure 4 this is a )er)etua+ trou6+e( and
most minds had rather dream )+easant+' than fa3
ti*ue themse+%es $ith hard $or5"
Dictionar'" ;
0IND LI0ITS OF T&E &/0AN"
NEWTON $as one da' as5ed $h' he ste))ed for3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 405/453
$ard $hen he $as so inc+ined 4 and from $hat cause
his arm and his hand o6e'ed his $i++ M &e honest+'
re)+ied( that he 5ne$ nothin* a6out the matter" !ut
at +east( said the' to him( 'ou $ho are so $e++ ac3
Huainted $ith the *ra%itation of )+anets( $i++ te++ us
$h' the' turn one $a' sooner than another M Ne$3
ton sti++ a%o$ed his i*norance"
Those $ho teach that the ocean $as sa+ted for
fear it shou+d corru)t( and that the tides $ere created
to conduct our shi)s into )ort( $ere a +itt+e ashamed
$hen to+d that the 0editerranean has )orts and no
tide" 0uschem6roc5 himse+f has fa++en into this
error"
Who has e%er 6een a6+e to determine )recise+'
ho$ a 6i++et of $ood is chan*ed into red3hot char3
coa+( and 6' $hat mechanism +ime is heated 6' co+d
$aterM
The Jrst motion of the heart in anima+s is that
accounted for M &as it 6een e7act+' disco%ered ho$
the 6usiness of *eneration is arran*edM &as an'
one di%ined the cause of sensation( ideas( and mem3
or'M We 5no$ no more of the essence of matter
than the chi+dren $ho touch its su)erJcies"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 406/453
Who $i++ instruct us in the mechanism 6' $hich
the *rain of corn( $hich $e cast into the earth(
dis)oses itse+f to )roduce a sta+5 surmounted $ith
an ear4 or $h' the sun )roduces an a))+e on one
Phi+oso)hica+
tree and a chestnut on the ne7t to it M 0an' doctors
ha%e said - #What 5no$ I not M# 0ontai*ne said -
#What 5no$ IM#
/n6endin* decider : )eda*o*ue in )hrases :
furred reasoner: thou inHuirest after the +imits of
the human mind the' are at the end of th' nose"
0IRACLES"
SECTION I"
A 0IRACLE( accordin* to the true meanin* of the
$ord( is somethin* admira6+e4 and a*reea6+e to
this( a++ is mirac+e" The stu)endous order of na3
ture( the re%o+ution of a hundred mi++ions of $or+ds
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 407/453
around a mi++ion of suns( the acti%it' of +i*ht( the
+ife of anima+s( a++ are *rand and )er)etua+ mirac+es"
Accordin* to common acce)tation( $e ca++ a mir3
ac+e the %io+ation of these di%ine and eterna+ +a$s"
A so+ar ec+i)se at the time of the fu++ moon( or a dead
man $a+5in* t$o +ea*ues and carr'in* his head in
his arms( $e denominate a mirac+e"
0an' natura+ )hi+oso)hers maintain( that in this
sense there are no mirac+es4 and ad%ance the fo+3
+o$in* ar*uments -
A mirac+e is the %io+ation of mathematica+( di3
%ine( immuta6+e( eterna+ +a$s" !' the %er' e7)osi3
tion itse+f( a mirac+e is a contradiction in terms- a
+a$ cannot at the same time 6e immuta6+e and %io3
+ated" !ut the' are as5ed( cannot a +a$( esta6+ished
6' od &imse+f( 6e sus)ended 6' its author M
Dictionar'" G
The' ha%e the hardihood to re)+' that it cannot 4
and that it is im)ossi6+e a 6ein* inJnite+' $ise can
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 408/453
ha%e made +a$s to %io+ate them" &e cou+d not(
the' sa'( deran*e the machine 6ut $ith a %ie$ of
ma5in* it $or5 6etter4 6ut it is e%ident that od(
a++3$ise and omni)otent( ori*ina++' made this im3
mense machine( the uni%erse( as *ood and )erfect as
&e $as a6+e4 if &e sa$ that some im)erfections
$ou+d arise from the nature of matter( &e )ro%ided
for that in the 6e*innin* 4 and( accordin*+'( &e $i++
ne%er chan*e an'thin* in it" 0oreo%er( od can do
nothin* $ithout reason 4 6ut $hat reason cou+d in3
duce him to disJ*ure for a time &is o$n $or5M
It is done( the' are to+d( in fa%or of man5ind"
The' re)+' - We must )resume( then( that it is
in fa%or of a++ man5ind 4 for it is im)ossi6+e to con3
cei%e that the di%ine nature shou+d occu)' itse+f
on+' a6out a fe$ men in )articu+ar( and not for the
$ho+e human race 4 and e%en the $ho+e human race
itse+f is a %er' sma++ concern 4 it is +ess than a sma++
ant3hi++( in com)arison $ith a++ the 6ein*s inha6itin*
immensit'" !ut is it not the most a6surd of a++ e73
tra%a*ances to ima*ine that the InJnite Su)reme
shou+d( in fa%or of three or four hundred emmets
on this +itt+e hea) of earth( deran*e the o)eration of
the %ast machiner' that mo%es the uni%erseM
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 409/453
!ut( admittin* that od chose to distin*uish a
sma++ num6er of men 6' )articu+ar fa%ors( is there
an' necessit' that( in order to accom)+ish this o69ect(
&e shou+d chan*e $hat &e esta6+ished for a++ )e3
Vo+" ii ;
Q Phi+oso)hica+
riods and for a++ )+aces M &e certain+' can ha%e no
need of this inconstanc' in order to 6esto$ fa%ors
on an' of &is creatures - &is fa%ors consist in &is
+a$s themse+%es - he has foreseen a++ and arran*ed
a++( $ith a %ie$ to them" A++ in%aria6+' o6e' the
force $hich &e has im)ressed fore%er on nature"
For $hat )ur)ose $ou+d od )erform a mirac+e M
To accom)+ish some )articu+ar desi*n u)on +i%in*
6ein*s M &e $ou+d then( in rea+it'( 6e su))osed to
sa' - #I ha%e not 6een a6+e to eect 6' m' construc3
tion of the uni%erse( 6' m' di%ine decrees( 6' m'
eterna+ +a$s( a )articu+ar o69ect4 I am no$ *oin*
to chan*e m' eterna+ ideas and immuta6+e +a$s( to
endea%or to accom)+ish $hat I ha%e not 6een a6+e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 410/453
to do 6' means of them"# This $ou+d 6e an a%o$a+
of &is $ea5ness( not of &is )o$er 4 it $ou+d a))ear
in such a 6ein* an inconcei%a6+e contradiction" Ac3
cordin*+'( therefore( to dare to ascri6e mirac+es to
od is( if man can in rea+it' insu+t od( actua++' of3
ferin* &im that insu+t" It is sa'in* to &im - #?ou
are a $ea5 and inconsistent !ein*"# It is( therefore(
a6surd to 6e+ie%e in mirac+es 4 it is( in fact( dishon3
orin* the di%init'"
These )hi+oso)hers( ho$e%er( are not suered
thus to dec+aim $ithout o))osition" ?ou ma' e7to+(
it is re)+ied( as much as 'ou )+ease( the immuta6i+it'
of the Su)reme !ein*( the eternit' of &is +a$s(
and the re*u+arit' of &is inJnitude of $or+ds4 6ut
our +itt+e hea) of earth has( not$ithstandin* a++ that
'ou ha%e ad%anced( 6een com)+ete+' co%ered o%er
Dictionar'"
$ith mirac+es in e%er' )art and time" &istories re3
+ate as man' )rodi*ies as natura+ e%ents" The
dau*hters of the hi*h )riest Anius chan*ed $hat3
e%er the' )+eased to corn( $ine( and oi+4 Atha+ide(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 411/453
the dau*hter of 0ercur'( re%i%ed a*ain se%era+
times 4 "Escu+a)ius resuscitated &i))o+'tus 4 &er3
cu+es rescued A+cestes from the hand of death 4 and
&eres returned to the $or+d after ha%in* )assed Jf3
teen da's in he++" Romu+us and Remus $ere the o3
s)rin* of a *od and a %esta+" The Pa++adium de3
scended from hea%en on the cit' of Tro' 4 the hair
of !erenice $as chan*ed into a conste++ation4 the
cot of !aucis and Phi+emon $as con%erted into a
su)er6 tem)+e 4 the head of Or)heus de+i%ered ora3
c+es after his death 4 the $a++s of The6es s)onta3
neous+' constructed themse+%es to the sound of a
ute( in the )resence of the ree5s 4 the cures ef3
fected in the tem)+e of iscu+a)ius $ere a6so+ute+'
innumera6+e( and $e ha%e monuments sti++ e7istin*
containin* the %er' names of )ersons $ho $ere e'e3
$itnesses of his mirac+es"
0ention to me a sin*+e nation in $hich the most
incredi6+e )rodi*ies ha%e not 6een )erformed( and
es)ecia++' in those )eriods in $hich the )eo)+e
scarce+' 5ne$ ho$ to $rite or read"
The )hi+oso)hers ma5e no ans$er to these o63
9ections( 6ut 6' s+i*ht+' raisin* their shou+ders and
6' a smi+e 4 6ut the Christian )hi+oso)hers sa' -
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 412/453
#We are 6e+ie%ers in the mirac+es of our ho+' re3
+i*ion4 $e 6e+ie%e them 6' faith and not 6' our
9> Phi+oso)hica+
reason( $hich $e are %er' cautious ho$ $e +isten to 4
for $hen faith s)ea5s( it is $e++ 5no$n that reason
ou*ht to 6e si+ent" We ha%e a Jrm and entire faith
in the mirac+es of .esus Christ and the a)ost+es( 6ut
)ermit us to entertain some dou6t a6out man' oth3
ers - )ermit us( for e7am)+e( to sus)end our 9ud*3
ment on $hat is re+ated 6' a %er' sim)+e man( a+3
thou*h he has o6tained the tit+e of *reat" &e as3
sures us( that a certain mon5 $as so much in the
ha6it of )erformin* mirac+es( that the )rior at +en*th
for6ade him to e7ercise his ta+ent in that +ine" The
mon5 o6e'ed 4 6ut seein* a )oor ti+er fa++ from the
to) of a house( he hesitated for a moment 6et$een
the desire to sa%e the unfortunate man2s +ife( and
the sacred dut' of o6edience to his su)erior" &e
mere+' ordered the ti+er to sta' in the air ti++ he
shou+d recei%e further instructions( and ran as fast
as his +e*s $ou+d carr' him to communicate the
ur*enc' of the circumstances to the )rior" The )rior
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 413/453
a6so+%ed him from the sin he had committed in 6e3
*innin* the mirac+e $ithout )ermission( and *a%e
him +ea%e to Jnish it( )ro%ided he sto))ed $ith the
same( and ne%er a*ain re)eated his fau+t"# The
)hi+oso)hers ma' certain+' 6e e7cused for enter3
tainin* a +itt+e dou6t of this +e*end"
!ut ho$ can 'ou den'( the' are as5ed( that St"
er%ais and St" Protais a))eared in a dream to St"
Am6rose( and informed him of the s)ot In $hich
$ere de)osited their re+icsM that St" Am6rose had
them disinterred M and that the' restored si*ht to a
Dictionar'"
man that $as 6+indM St" Au*ustine $as at 0i+an
at the %er' time( and it is he $ho re+ates the mirac+e(
usin* the e7)ression( in the t$ent'3second 6oo5 of
his $or5 ca++ed the #Cit' of od(# #immenso )o)u+o
teste# in the )resence of an immense num6er of
)eo)+e" &ere is one of the %er' 6est attested and
esta6+ished mirac+es" The )hi+oso)hers( ho$e%er(
sa' that the' do not 6e+ie%e one $ord a6out er%ais
and Protais a))earin* to an' )erson $hate%er 4 that
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 414/453
it is a matter of %er' +itt+e conseHuence to man5ind
$here the remains of their carcasses +ie 4 that the'
ha%e no more faith in this 6+ind man than in Ves3
)asian2s 4 that it is a use+ess mirac+e( and that od
does nothin* that is use+ess 4 and the' adhere to the
)rinci)+es the' 6e*an $ith" 0' res)ect for St" er3
%ais and St" Protais )re%ents me from 6ein* of the
same o)inion as these )hi+oso)hers - I mere+' state
their incredu+it'" The' +a' *reat stress on the $e++3
5no$n )assa*e of Lucian( to 6e found in the death
of Pere*rinus - #When an e7)ert 9u**+er turns
Christian( he is sure to ma5e his fortune"# !ut as
Lucian is a )rofane author( $e ou*ht sure+' to set
him aside as of no authorit'"
These )hi+oso)hers cannot e%en ma5e u) their
minds to 6e+ie%e the mirac+es )erformed in the sec3
ond centur'" E%en e'e3$itnesses to the facts ma'
$rite and attest ti++ the da' of doom( that after the
6isho) of Sm'rna( St" Po+'car)( $as condemned to
6e 6urned( and actua++' in the midst of the ames(
the' heard a %oice from hea%en e7c+aimin* - #Cour3
Phi+oso)hica+
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 415/453
a*e( Po+'car): 6e stron*( and sho$ 'ourse+f a
man# 4 that( at the %er' instant( the ames Huitted
his 6od'( and formed a )a%i+ion of Jre a6o%e his
head( and from the midst of the )i+e there e$ out a
do%e 4 $hen( at +en*th( Po+'car)2s enemies ended
his +ife 6' cuttin* o his head" A++ these facts and
attestations are in %ain" For $hat *ood( sa' these
unim)ressi6+e and incredu+ous men( for $hat *ood
$as this mirac+eM Wh' did the ames +ose their
nature( and the a7e of the e7ecutioner retain a++ its
)o$er of destructionM Whence comes it that so
man' mart'rs esca)ed unhurt out of 6oi+in* oi+( 6ut
$ere una6+e to resist the ed*e of the s$ordM It is
ans$ered( such $as the $i++ of od" !ut the )hi+os3
o)hers $ou+d $ish to see and hear a++ this them3
se+%es( 6efore the' 6e+ie%e it"
Those $ho stren*then their reasonin*s 6' +earn3
in* $i++ te++ 'ou that the fathers of the Church ha%e
freHuent+' dec+ared that mirac+es $ere in their da's
)erformed no +on*er" St" Chr'sostom sa's e73
)ress+' - 22The e7traordinar' *ifts of the s)irit $ere
6esto$ed e%en on the un$orth'( 6ecause the Church
at that time had need of mirac+es 4 6ut no$( the'
are not 6esto$ed e%en on the $orth'( 6ecause the
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 416/453
Church has need of them no +on*er"# &e after$ards
dec+ares( that there is no one no$ $ho raises the
dead( or e%en $ho hea+s the sic5"
St" Au*ustine himse+f( not$ithstandin* 2the mir3
ac+es of er%ais and Protais( sa's( in his #Cit' of
od# - #Wh' are not such mirac+es as $ere $rou*ht
Dictionar'" <
former+' $rou*ht no$M# and he assi*ns the same
reason as St" Chr'sostom for it"
#Cur inHuiunt( nunc i+ia miracu+a Hua )radicatis
fact a esse non &untM Possem Huidem die ere neces3
saria )rins fuisse( Huam crederet mundus( ad hoc ut
crederet mundus#
It is o69ected to the )hi+oso)hers( that St" Au3
*ustine( not$ithstandin* this a%o$a+( mentions ne%3
erthe+ess an o+d co66+er of &i))o( $ho( ha%in* +ost
his *arment( $ent to )ra' in the cha)e+ of the t$ent'
mart'rs( and on his return found a Jsh( in the 6od'
of $hich $as a *o+d rin*4 and that the coo5 $ho
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 417/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 418/453
at a++ to do $ith the mirac+es of our Lord and &is
a)ost+es" 0an' *ood Christians ha%e contested the
#&istor' of St" Simeon St'+ites(# $ritten 6' Theo3
doret4 man' mirac+es considered authentic 6' the
ree5 Church ha%e 6een ca++ed in Huestion 6' man'
Latins( 9ust as the Latin mirac+es ha%e 6een sus3
)ected 6' the ree5 Church" After$ards( the Prot3
estants a))eared on the sta*e( and treated the mir3
ac+es of 6oth churches certain+' $ith %er' +itt+e re3
s)ect or ceremon'"
A +earned .esuit( $ho $as +on* a )reacher in the
Indies( de)+ores that neither his co++ea*ues nor him3
se+f cou+d e%er )erform a mirac+e" Ba%ier +aments(
in man' of his +etters( that he has not the *ift of
+an*ua*es" &e sa's( that amon* the .a)anese he
is mere+' +i5e a dum6 statue - 'et the .esuits ha%e
$ritten that he resuscitated ei*ht )ersons" That
$as certain+' no triin* matter 4 6ut it must 6e rec3
o++ected that he resuscitated them si7 thousand
+ea*ues distant" Persons ha%e since 6een found(
$ho ha%e )retended that the a6o+ition of the .es3
uits in France is a much *reater mirac+e than an'
)erformed 6' Ba%ier and I*natius"
&o$e%er that ma' 6e( a++ Christians a*ree that
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 419/453
the mirac+es of .esus Christ and the a)ost+es are in3
contesta6+' true 4 6ut that $e ma' certain+' 6e )er3
mitted to dou6t some stated to ha%e 6een )erformed
in our o$n times( and $hich ha%e not 6een com3
)+ete+' authenticated"
Dictionar'" ;
It $ou+d certain+'( for e7am)+e( 6e %er' desira6+e(
in order to the Jrm and c+ear esta6+ishment of a mir3
ac+e( that it shou+d 6e )erformed in the )resence of
the Academ' of Sciences of Paris( or the Ro'a+ So3
ciet' of London( and the Facu+t' of 0edicine( as3
sisted 6' a detachment of *uards to 5ee) in due or3
der and distance the )o)u+ace( $ho mi*ht 6' their
rudeness or indiscretion )re%ent the o)eration of the
mirac+e"
A )hi+oso)her $as once as5ed $hat he shou+d sa'
if he sa$ the sun stand sti++( that is( if the motion of
the earth around that star $ere to cease 4 if a++ the
dead $ere to rise a*ain 4 and if the mountains $ere
to *o and thro$ themse+%es to*ether into the sea(
a++ in order to )ro%e some im)ortant truth( +i5e that(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 420/453
for instance( of %ersati+e *raceM #What shou+d I
sa'M# ans$ered the )hi+oso)her4 #I shou+d 6ecome
a 0anichsean 4 I shou+d sa' that one )rinci)+e coun3
teracted the )erformance of another"#
SECTION II"
DeJne 'our terms( 'ou $i++ )ermit me a*ain to
sa'( or $e sha++ ne%er understand one another"
#0iracu+um res miranda( )rodi*ium( )ortentum(
monstrum"# 0irac+e( somethin* admira6+e4 )rod3
i*'( im)+'in* somethin* astonishin*4 )ortentous(
6earin* $ith it no%e+t'4 monster( somethin* to
sho$ a montrer on account of its %ariet'" Such
are the Jrst ideas that men formed of mirac+es"
As e%er'thin* is reJned and im)ro%ed u)on(
Phi+oso)hica+
such a+so $ou+d 6e the case $ith this deJnition" A
mirac+e is said to 6e that $hich is im)ossi6+e to na3
ture" !ut it $as not considered that this $as in fact
sa'in* a++ mirac+e is a6so+ute+' im)ossi6+e" For
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 421/453
$hat is natureM ?ou understand 6' it the eterna+
order of thin*s" A mirac+e $ou+d therefore 6e im3
)ossi6+e in such an order" In this sense od cou+d
not $or5 a mirac+e"
If 'ou mean 6' mirac+e an eect of $hich 'ou
cannot )ercei%e the cause( in that sense a++ is mirac+e"
The attraction and direction of the ma*net are con3
tinua+ mirac+es" A snai+ $hose head is rene$ed is
a mirac+e" The 6irth of e%er' anima+( the )roduc3
tion of e%er' %e*eta6+e( are mirac+es of e%er' da'"
!ut $e are so accustomed to these )rodi*ies( that
the' ha%e +ost their name of admira6+e of miracu3
+ous" The Indians are no +on*er astonished 6' can3
non"
We ha%e therefore formed for ourse+%es another
idea of a mirac+e" It is( accordin* to the common
o)inion( $hat ne%er has ha))ened and ne%er $i++
ha))en" Such is the idea formed of Samson2s 9a$3
6one of an ass 4 of the con%ersation 6et$een the ass
and !a+aam( and that 6et$een a ser)ent and E%e4
of the chariot $ith four horses that con%e'ed a$a'
E+i9ah4 of the Jsh that 5e)t .onah in its 6e++' se%3
ent'3t$o hours 4 of the ten )+a*ues of E*')t 4 of the
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 422/453
$a++s of .ericho( and of the sun and moon2standin*
sti++ at mid3da'( etc"
In order to 6e+ie%e a mirac+e( it is not enou*h
Dictionar'" G
mere+' to ha%e seen it 4 for a man ma' 6e decei%ed"
A foo+ is often ca++ed a dea+er in $onders 4 and not
mere+' do man' e7ce++ent )ersons thin5 that the'
ha%e seen $hat the' ha%e not seen( and heard $hat
$as ne%er said to them 4 not on+' do the' thus 6e3
come $itnesses of mirac+es( 6ut the' 6ecome a+so
su69ects of mirac+es" The' ha%e 6een sometimes dis3
eased( and sometimes cured 6' su)ernatura+ )o$er 4
the' ha%e 6een chan*ed into $o+%es 4 the' ha%e tra%3
e++ed throu*h the air on 6roomstic5s 4 the' ha%e 6e3
come 6oth incu6+ and succu6i"
It is necessar' that the mirac+e shou+d ha%e 6een
seen 6' a *reat num6er of %er' sensi6+e )eo)+e( in
sound hea+th( and )erfect+' disinterested in the af3
fair" It is a6o%e a++ necessar'( that it shou+d ha%e
6een so+emn+' attested 6' them 4 for if so+emn forms
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 423/453
of authentication are deemed necessar' $ith res)ect
to transactions of %er' sim)+e character( such as the
)urchase of a house( a marria*e contract( or a $i++(
$hat )articu+ar and minute cautionar' forma+ities
must not 6e deemed reHuisite in order to %erif'
thin*s natura++' im)ossi6+e( on $hich the destin' of
the $or+d is to de)endM
E%en $hen an authentic mirac+e is )erformed( it
in fact )ro%es nothin*4 for Scri)ture te++s 'ou( in
a *reat %ariet' of )+aces( that im)ostors ma' )er3
form mirac+es( and that if an' man( after ha%in* )er3
formed them( shou+d )roc+aim another od than
that of the .e$s( he ou*ht to 6e stoned "to death" It
is reHuisite( therefore( that the doctrine shou+d 6e
Q Phi+oso)hica+
conJrmed 6' the mirac+es( and the mirac+es 6' the
doctrine"
E%en this( ho$e%er( is not su8cient" As im)os3
tors ma' )reach a %er' correct and )ure mora+it'(
the 6etter to decei%e( and it is admitted that im)os3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 424/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 425/453
A theocrac' can 6e founded on+' u)on mirac+es"
E%er'thin* in it must 6e di%ine" The reat So%er3
Dictionar'"
ei*n s)ea5s to men on+' in )rodi*ies" These are his
ministers and +etters )atent" &is orders are inti3
mated 6' the ocean2s co%erin* the earth to dro$n
nations( or o)enin* a $a' throu*h its de)ths( that
the' ma' )ass u)on dr' +and"
Accordin*+' 'ou )ercei%e( that in the .e$ish his3
tor' a++ is mirac+e 4 from the creation of Adam( and
the formation of E%e( $ho $as made of one of the
ri6s of Adam( to the time of the insi*niJcant 5in*3
+in* Sau+"
E%en in the time of this same Sau+( theocrac'
)artici)ates in )o$er $ith ro'a+t'" There are sti++(
conseHuent+'( mirac+es )erformed from time to time 4
6ut there is no +on*er that s)+endid train of )rodi*ies
$hich continua++' astonishes and interru)ts nature"
The ten )+a*ues of E*')t are not rene$ed 4 the
sun and moon do not stand sti++ at mid3da'( in order
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 426/453
to *i%e a commander time to e7terminate a fe$ run3
a$a's( a+read' near+' destro'ed 6' a sho$er of
stones from the c+ouds" No Samson a*ain e7tir)ates
a thousand Phi+istines 6' the 9a$36one of an ass"
Asses no +on*er ta+5 rationa++' $ith men 4 $a++s no
+on*er fa++ )rostrate at the mere sound of trum)ets 4
cities are not s$a++o$ed u) in a +a5e 6' the Jre of
hea%en 4 the race of man is not a second time de3
stro'ed 6' a de+u*e" !ut the Jn*er of od is sti++
manifested 4 the shade of Sau+ is )ermitted to a)3
)ear at the in%ocation of the sorceress( and od
&imse+f )romises Da%id that he $i++ defeat the Phi+3
istines at !aa+3)era1im"
> Phi+oso)hica+
#od *athers to*ether &is ce+estia+ arm' in the
rei*n of Aha6( and as5s the s)irits - Who $i++ *o and
decei%e Aha6( and )ersuade him to *o u) to $ar
a*ainst Ramoth i+eadM And there came forth a
+'in* s)irit and stood 6efore the Lord and said( I
$i++ )ersuade him"# !ut the )ro)het 0icaiah a+one
heard this con%ersation( and he recei%ed a 6+o$ on
the chee5 from another )ro)het( ca++ed @ede5iah(
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 427/453
for ha%in* announced the i++3omened )rodi*'"
Of mirac+es )erformed in the si*ht of the $ho+e
nation( and chan*in* the +a$s of a++ nature( $e see
no more unti+ the time of E+i9ah( for $hom the Lord
des)atched a chariot of Jre and horses of Jre( $hich
con%e'ed him ra)id+' from the 6an5s of the .ordan
to hea%en( a+thou*h no one 5ne$ $here hea%en $as"
From the commencement of historica+ times( that
is( from the time of the conHuests of A+e7ander( $e
see no more mirac+es amon* the .e$s"
When Pom)e' comes to ma5e himse+f master of
.erusa+em $hen Crassus )+unders the tem)+e
$hen Pom)e' )uts to death the 5in* of the .e$s 6'
the hands of the e7ecutioner $hen Anthon' con3
fers the 5in*dom of .udaea on the Ara6ian &erod
$hen Titus ta5es .erusa+em 6' assau+t( and $hen
it is ra1ed to the *round 6' Arian not a sin*+e
mirac+e is e%er )erformed" Thus it is $ith e%er'
nation u)on earth" The' 6e*in $ith theocrac'4
the' end in a manner sim)+' and natura++' human"
The *reater the )ro*ress made in societ' and 5no$+3
ed*e( the fe$er there are of )rodi*ies"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 428/453
Dictionar'"
We $e++ 5no$ that the theocrac' of the .e$s $as
the on+' true one( and that those of other nations
$ere fa+se 4 6ut in a++ other res)ects( the case $as
)recise+' the same $ith them as $ith the .e$s"
In E*')t( in the time of Vu+can( and in that of
Isis and Osiris( e%er'thin* $as out of the +a$s of
nature 4 under the Pto+emies e%er'thin* resumed
its natura+ course"
In the remote )eriods of Phos( Chr'sos( and
E)hestes( *ods and morta+s con%ersed in Cha+dee
$ith the most interestin* fami+iarit'" A *od $arned
Kin* Bissuter that there $ou+d 6e a de+u*e in Ar3
menia( and that it $as necessar' he shou+d( as soon
as )ossi6+e( 6ui+d a %esse+ J%e stadii in +en*th and
t$o in $idth" Such thin*s do not ha))en to the
Dariuses and the A+e7anders"
The Jsh Cannes( in former times( came e%er' da'
out of the Eu)hrates to )reach u)on its 6an5s 4 6ut
there is no )reachin* Jsh no$" It is true that St"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 429/453
Anthon' of Padua $ent and )reached to the Jshes 4
ho$e%er( such thin*s ha))en so %er' rare+' that the'
are scarce+' to 6e ta5en an' account of"
Numa he+d +on* con%ersations $ith the n'm)h
E*eria 4 6ut $e ne%er read that Csesar had an' $ith
Venus( a+thou*h he $as descended from her in the
direct +ine" The $or+d( $e see( is constant+' ad%anc3
in* a +itt+e( and reJnin* *radua++'"
!ut after 6ein* e7tricated out of one s+ou*h for
a time( man5ind are soon )+un*ed into another" To
a*es of ci%i+i1ation succeed a*es of 6ar6arism 4 that
Phi+oso)hica+
6ar6arism is a*ain e7)e++ed( and a*ain rea))ears-
it is the re*u+ar a+ternation of da' and ni*ht"
Of Those Who &a%e !een so Im)ious+' Rash as to
Den' the 0irac+es of .esus Christ"
Amon* the moderns( Thomas Woo+ston( a
+earned mem6er of the /ni%ersit' of Cam6rid*e( a)3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 430/453
)ears to me to ha%e 6een the Jrst $ho %entured to in3
ter)ret the os)e+s mere+' in a t')ica+( a++e*orica+(
and s)iritua+ sense( and 6o+d+' maintained that not
one of the mirac+es of .esus $as actua++' )erformed"
&e $rote $ithout method or art( and in a st'+e
confused and coarse( 6ut not destitute of %i*or"
&is si7 discourses a*ainst the mirac+es of .esus
Christ $ere )u6+ic+' so+d at London( in his o$n
house" In the course of t$o 'ears( from ;G to
;G<( he had three editions of them )rinted( of
t$ent' thousand co)ies each( and 'et it is no$ %er'
di8cu+t to )rocure one from the 6oo5se++ers"
Ne%er $as Christianit' so darin*+' assai+ed 6'
an' Christian" Fe$ $riters entertain +ess a$e or
res)ect for the )u6+ic( and no )riest e%er dec+ared
himse+f more o)en+' the enem' of )riests" &e e%en
dared to 9ustif' this hatred 6' that of .esus Christ
a*ainst the Pharisees and Scri6es 4 and he said that
he shou+d not( +i5e .esus Christ( 6ecome their %ic3
tim( 6ecause he had come into the $or+d in a more
en+i*htened a*e"
&e certain+' ho)ed to 9ustif' his rashness 6'
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 431/453
Dictionar'" <
his ado)tion of the m'stica+ sense 4 6ut he em)+o's
e7)ressions so contem)tuous and a6usi%e that e%er'
Christian ear is shoc5ed at them"
If $e ma' 6e+ie%e him( $hen .esus sent the de%i+
into the herd of t$o thousand s$ine( &e did neither
more nor +ess than commit a ro66er' on their o$n3
ers" If the stor' had 6een to+d of 0ahomet( he
$ou+d ha%e 6een considered as #an a6omina6+e $i13
ard( and a s$orn s+a%e to the de%i+"# And if the )ro3
)rietor of the s$ine( and the merchants $ho in the
outer court of the tem)+e so+d 6easts for sacriJces(
and $hom .esus dro%e out $ith a scour*e( came to
demand 9ustice $hen he $as a))rehended( it is c+ear
that he $as deser%ed+' condemned( as there ne%er
$as a 9ur' in En*+and that $ou+d not ha%e found
him *ui+t'"
&e te++s her fortune to the $oman of Samaria(
9ust +i5e a $anderin* !ohemian or ')s'" This
a+one $as su8cient to cause &is 6anishment( $hich
$as the )unishment inicted u)on fortune3te++ers(
or di%iners( 6' Ti6erius" #I am astonished(# sa's
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 432/453
he( #that the *')sies do not )roc+aim themse+%es
the *enuine disci)+es of .esus( as their %ocation is
the same" &o$e%er( I am *+ad to see that &e did
not e7tort mone' from the Samaritan $oman( dif3
ferin* in this res)ect from our c+er*'( $ho ta5e
care to 6e $e++ )aid for their di%inations"#
I fo++o$ the order of the )a*es in his 6oo5" The
author *oes on to the entrance of .esus Christ into
Vo+" ii ;<
<= Phi+oso)hica+
.erusa+em" It is not c+ear( he sa's( $hether &e $as
mounted on a ma+e or fema+e ass( or u)on the foa+
of an ass( or u)on a++ three to*ether"
&e com)ares .esus( $hen tem)ted 6' the de%i+(
to St" Dunstan( $ho sei1ed the de%i+ 6' the nose4
and he *i%es the )reference to St" Dunstan"
At the artic+e of the J*3tree( $hich $as cursed
$ith 6arrenness for not )roducin* J*s out of season
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 433/453
for them( he descri6es .esus as a mere %a*a6ond( a
mendicant friar( $ho 6efore &e turned Je+d3
)reacher $as #no 6etter than a 9ourne'man car3
)enter"# It is sur)risin*( he sa's( that the court of
Rome has not amon* a++ its re+ics some +itt+e fanc'3
6o7 or 9oint3stoo+ of &is $or5manshi)" In a $ord(
it is di8cu+t to carr' 6+as)hem' further"
After di%ertin* himse+f $ith the )ro6ationar'
Jsh3)oo+ of !ethesda( the $aters of $hich $ere
trou6+ed or stirred once in e%er' 'ear 6' an an*e+(
he inHuires ho$ it cou+d $e++ 6e( that neither F+a3
%ins .ose)hus( nor Phi+o shou+d e%er mention this
an*e+ 4 $h' St" .ohn shou+d 6e the so+e historian of
this mirac+e 4 and 6' $hat other mirac+e it ha))ened
that no Roman e%er sa$ this an*e+( or e%er e%en
heard his name mentioned M
The $ater chan*ed into $ine at the marria*e of
Cana( accordin* to him( e7cites the +au*hter and
contem)t of a++ $ho are not im6ruted 6' su)ersti3
tion"
#What :# sa's he( #.ohn e7)ress+' sa's that the
*uests $ere a+read' into7icated( 2methus tosi 4 and
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 434/453
Dictionar'" <;
od comes do$n to earth and )erforms &is Jrst
mirac+e to ena6+e them to drin5 sti++ more :#
od( made man( commences &is mission 6' as3
sistin* at a %i++a*e $eddin*" #Whether .esus and
&is mother $ere drun5( as $ere others of the com3
)an'( is not certain" The fami+iarit' of the +ad' $ith
a so+dier +eads to the )resum)tion that she $as fond
of her 6ott+e 4 that her Son( ho$e%er( $as some$hat
aected 6' the $ine( a))ears from &is ans$erin*
&is mother so 2$as)ish+' and sna))ish+'2 as &e did(
$hen &e said( 2Woman( $hat ha%e I to do $ith
theeM2 It ma' 6e inferred from these $ords that
0ar' $as not a %ir*in( and that .esus $as not her
son 4 had it 6een other$ise( &e $ou+d not ha%e
thus insu+ted &is father and mother in %io+ation of
one of the most sacred commandments of the +a$"
&o$e%er( &e com)+ied $ith &is mother2s reHuest 4
&e J++s ei*hteen 9ars $ith $ater( and ma5es )unch
of it"# These are the %er' $ords of Thomas
Woo+ston( and must J++ e%er Christian sou+ $ith
indi*nation"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 435/453
It is $ith re*ret( and e%en $ith trem6+in*( that
I Huote these )assa*es 4 6ut there ha%e 6een si7t'
thousand co)ies of this $or5 )rinted( a++ 6earin*
the name of the author( and a++ )u6+ic+' so+d at his
house" It can ne%er 6e said that I ca+umniate him"
It is to the dead raised a*ain 6' .esus Christ
that he )rinci)a++' directs his attention" &e con3
tends that a dead man restored to +ife $ou+d ha%e
6een an o69ect of attention and astonishment to the
< Phi+oso)hica+
uni%erse 4 that a++ the .e$ish ma*istrac'( and more
es)ecia++' Pi+ate( $ou+d ha%e made the most minute
in%esti*ations and o6tained the most authentic de3
)ositions4 that Ti6erius en9oined a++ )roconsu+s(
)raetors( and *o%ernors of )ro%inces to inform him
$ith e7actness of e%er' e%ent that too5 )+ace 4 that
La1arus( $ho had 6een dead four $ho+e da's( $ou+d
ha%e 6een most strict+' interro*ated 4 and that no
+itt+e curiosit' $ou+d ha%e 6een e7cited to 5no$
$hat had 6ecome( durin* that time( of his sou+"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 436/453
With $hat ea*er interest $ou+d Ti6erius and
the $ho+e Roman senate ha%e Huestioned him( and
not indeed on+' him( 6ut the dau*hter of .airus
and the son of the $ido$ of NamM Three dead
)ersons restored to +ife $ou+d ha%e 6een three at3
testations to the di%init' of .esus( $hich a+most in
a sin*+e moment $ou+d ha%e made the $ho+e $or+d
Christian" !ut instead of a++ this( the $ho+e $or+d(
for more than t$o hundred 'ears( 5ne$ nothin*
a6out these res)+endent and decisi%e e%idences" It
is not ti++ a hundred 'ears ha%e ro++ed a$a' from
the date of the e%ents that some o6scure indi%idua+s
sho$ one another the $ritin*s that contain the re3
+ation of those mirac+es" Ei*ht'3nine em)erors
rec5onin* those $ho had on+' the name of #t'rants(#
ne%er hear the s+i*htest mention of these resurrec3
tions( a+thou*h the' must ine%ita6+' ha%e he+d a++
nature in ama1ement" Neither the .e$isJ3 historian
.ose)hus( nor the +earned Phi+o( nor an' ree5 or
Roman historian at a++ notices these )rodi*ies" In
Dictionar'" <G
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 437/453
short( Woo+ston has the im)rudence to sa' that the
histor' of La1arus is so 6rimfu+ of a6surdities that
St" .ohn( $hen he $rote it( had out+i%ed his senses"
Su))osin*( sa's Woo+ston( that od shou+d in
our o$n times send an am6assador to London to
con%ert the hire+in* c+er*'( and that am6assador
shou+d raise the dead( $hat $ou+d the c+er*' sa' M
&e 6+as)hemes the incarnation( the resurrection(
and the ascension of .esus Christ( 9ust u)on the
same s'stem 4 and he ca++s these mirac+es - #The
most manifest and the most 6arefaced im)osture
that e%er $as )ut u)on the $or+d :#
What is )erha)s more sin*u+ar sti++ is that each
of his discourses is dedicated to a 6isho)" &is
dedications are certain+' not e7act+' in the French
st'+e" &e 6esto$s no atter' nor com)+iments"
&e u)6raids them $ith their )ride and a%arice( their
am6ition and faction( and smi+es $ith trium)h at
the thou*ht of their 6ein* no$( +i5e e%er' other
c+ass of citi1ens( in com)+ete su69ection to the +a$s
of the state"
At +ast these 6isho)s( tired of 6ein* insu+ted 6'
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 438/453
an undi*niJed mem6er of the /ni%ersit' of Cam3
6rid*e( determined u)on a forma+ a))ea+ to the +a$s"
The' instituted a )rosecution a*ainst Woo+ston in
the Kin*2s !ench( and he $as tried 6efore Chief3
.ustice Ra'mond( in ;<( $hen he $as im)risoned(
condemned to )a' a Jne( and o6+i*ed to *i%e se3
curit' to the amount of a hundred and Jft' )ounds
ster+in*" &is friends furnished him $ith the se3
<Q Phi+oso)hica+
curit'( and he did not in fact die in )rison( as in
some of our care+ess and i++3com)i+ed dictionaries
he is stated to ha%e done" &e died at his o$n
house in London( after ha%in* uttered these $ords -
#This is a )ass that e%er' man must come to"#
Some time 6efore his death( a fema+e 1ea+ot meetin*
him in the street $as *ross enou*h to s)it in his
face4 he ca+m+' $i)ed his face and 6o$ed to her"
&is manners $ere mi+d and )+easin*" &e $as o63
stinate+' infatuated $ith the m'stica+ meanin*( and
6+as)hemed the +itera+ one 4 6ut +et us ho)e that he
re)ented on his death36ed( and that od has sho$ed
him merc'"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 439/453
A6out the same )eriod there a))eared in France
the $i++ of .ohn 0es+ier( c+er*'man cure of !ut
and Entre)i*ni( in Cham)a*ne( of $hom $e ha%e
a+read' s)o5en( under the artic+e on #Contradic3
tions"#
It $as 6oth a $onderfu+ and a me+ancho+' s)ec3
tac+e to see t$o )riests at the same time $ritin*
a*ainst the Christian re+i*ion" 0es+ier is sti++ more
%io+ent than Woo+ston" &e %entures to treat the
de%i+2s carr'in* o our Lord to the to) of a moun3
tain( the marria*e of Cana( and the +oa%es and Jshes(
as a6surd ta+es( in9urious to the Su)reme !ein*(
$hich for three hundred 'ears $ere un5no$n to the
$ho+e Roman Em)ire( and at +ast ad%anced from
the dre*s of the communit' to the throne of the
em)erors( $hen )o+ic' com)e++ed them to ado)t the
nonsense of the )eo)+e( in order to 5ee) them the
Dictionar'" <
6etter in su69ection" The dec+amations of the
En*+ish )riest do not a))roach in %ehemence those
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 440/453
of the )riest of Cham)a*ne" Woo+ston occasion3
a++' sho$ed discretion" 0es+ier ne%er has an' 4 he
is a man so sensiti%e+' sore to the crimes to $hich
he has 6een $itness that he renders the Christian
re+i*ion res)onsi6+e for them( for*ettin* that it
condemns them" There is not a sin*+e mirac+e
$hich is not $ith him an o69ect of scorn or horror4
no )ro)hec' $hich he does not com)are $ith the
)ro)hecies of Nostradamus" &e e%en *oes so far
as to com)are .esus Christ to Don ui7ote( and St"
Peter to Sancho Pan1a 4 and $hat is most of a++ to
6e de)+ored is( that he $rote these 6+as)hemies
a*ainst .esus Christ( $hen he mi*ht 6e said to 6e
in the %er' arms of death at a moment $hen the
most deceitfu+ are sincere( and the most intre)id
trem6+e" Too stron*+' im)ressed 6' some in9uries
that had 6een done him 6' his su)eriors in author3
it' 4 too dee)+' aected 6' the *reat di8cu+ties
$hich he met $ith in the Scri)ture( he 6ecame e73
as)erated a*ainst it more than Acosta and a++ the
.e$s 4 more than Por)h'r'( Ce+sus( +am6+ichus(
.u+ian( Li6anius( 0a7imus( Simmachus( or an'
other $hate%er of the )artisans of human reason
a*ainst the di%ine incom)rehensi6i+ities of our re3
+i*ion" 0an' a6rid*ments of his $or5 ha%e 6een
)rinted 4 6ut ha))i+' the )ersons in authorit' su)3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 441/453
)ressed them as fast as the' a))eared"
A )riest of !onne3Nou%e++e( near Paris( $rote
Phi+oso)hica+
a+so on the same su69ect4 and it thus ha))ened
that at the %er' time the a66e !echeran and the
rest of the Con%u+sionaries $ere )erformin* mira3
c+es( three )riests $ere $ritin* a*ainst the *enuine
os)e+ mirac+es"
The most c+e%er $or5 that has 6een $ritten
a*ainst the mirac+es and )ro)hecies is that of m'
Lord !o+in*6ro5e" !ut ha))i+' it is so %o+uminous(
so destitute of method( so %er6ose( and so a6ound3
in* in +on* and sometimes com)+icated sentences(
that it reHuires a *reat dea+ of )atience to read him"
There ha%e 6een some minds so constituted that
the' ha%e 6een enchanted 6' the mirac+es of 0oses
and .oshua( 6ut ha%e not entertained for those of
.esus Christ the res)ect to $hich the' are entit+ed"
Their ima*ination raised 6' the *rand s)ectac+e
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 442/453
of the sea o)enin* a )assa*e throu*h its de)ths( and
sus)endin* its $a%es that a horde of &e6re$s
mi*ht safe+' *o throu*h 4 6' the ten )+a*ues of
E*')t( and 6' the stars that sto))ed in their course
o%er i6eon and A9a+on( etc" cou+d not $ith ease
and satisfaction 6e +et do$n a*ain( so as to admire
the com)arati%e+' )ett' mirac+es of the $ater
chan*ed into $ine( the $ithered J*3tree( and the
s$ine dro$ned in the +itt+e +a5e of adara" Va*hen3
sei+ said that it $as +i5e hearin* a rustic ditt' after
attendin* a *rand concert"
The Ta+mud )retends that there ha%e 6een
man' Christians $ho( after com)arin* the mirac+es
Dictionar'" <
of the O+d Testament $ith those of the Ne$
Testament( em6raced .udaism 4 the' consider it im3
)ossi6+e that the So%erei*n Lord of Nature shou+d
ha%e $rou*ht such stu)endous )rodi*ies for a re3
+i*ion &e intended to annihi+ate" What: the' e73
c+aim( can it )ossi6+' 6e( that for a series of a*es &e
shou+d ha%e e7hi6ited a train of astonishin* and
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 443/453
tremendous mirac+es in fa%or of a true re+i*ion that
$as to 6ecome a fa+se oneM What: can it 6e that
od &imse+f has recorded that this re+i*ion sha++
ne%er )erish( and that those $ho attem)t to destro'
it sha++ 6e stoned to death( and 'et that &e has
ne%erthe+ess sent &is o$n Son( Who is no other than
&imse+f( to annihi+ate $hat &e $as em)+o'ed so
man' a*es in erectin*M
There is much more to 6e added to these re3
mar5s4 this Son( the' continue( this Eterna+ od(
ha%in* made &imse+f a .e$( adheres to the .e$ish
re+i*ion durin* the $ho+e of &is +ife 4 &e )erforms
a++ the functions of it( &e freHuents the .e$ish
tem)+e( &e announces nothin* contrar' to the .e$3
ish +a$( and a++ &is disci)+es are .e$s and o6ser%e
the .e$ish ceremonies" It most certain+' is not &e
$ho esta6+ished the Christian re+i*ion" It $as es3
ta6+ished 6' the dissident .e$s $ho united $ith the
P+atonists" There is not a sin*+e do*ma of Chris3
tianit' that $as )reached 6' .esus Christ"
Such is the reasonin* of these rash men( $ho(
$ith minds at once h')ocritica+ and audacious( dare
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 444/453
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 445/453
$as )astor( he $ent to 6e recei%ed as a .e$ at
Venice( to*ether $ith a 'oun* a))rentice in theo+3
o*' $hom he had )ersuaded to ado)t his o$n )rin3
ci)+es( 6ut $ho after$ards a6andoned him( not e73
)eriencin* an' ca++ to mart'rdom"
At Jrst the minister( Nicho+as Anthon'( a63
stained from utterin* the name of .esns Christ in
his sermons and )ra'ers 4 in a short time( ho$e%er(
6ecomin* animated and em6o+dened 6' the e7am)+e
Dictionar'" <<
of the .e$ish saints( $ho conJdent+' )rofessed
.udaism 6efore the )rinces of T're and !a6'+on(
he tra%e++ed 6arefooted to ene%a( to confess 6efore
the 9ud*es and ma*istrates that there is on+' one
re+i*ion u)on earth( 6ecause there is on+' one od 4
that that re+i*ion is the .e$ish 4 that it is a6so+ute+'
necessar' to 6ecome circumcised 4 and that it is a
horri6+e crime to eat 6acon and 6+ood )uddin*" &e
)athetica++' e7horted a++ the )eo)+e of ene%a( $ho
cro$ded to hear him( no +on*er to continue chi+dren
of !e+ia+( 6ut to 6ecome *ood .e$s( in order to de3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 446/453
ser%e the 5in*dom of hea%en" &e $as a))re3
hended( and )ut in chains"
The +itt+e Counci+ of ene%a( $hich at that )eriod
did nothin* $ithout consu+tin* the counci+ of
)reachers( as5ed their ad%ice in this emer*enc'"
The most sensi6+e of them recommended that )oor
Anthon' shou+d 6e 6+ed in the ce)ha+ic %ein( use the
6ath( and 6e 5e)t u)on *rue+ and 6roths 4 after $hich
he mi*ht )erha)s *radua++' 6e induced to )ronounce
the name of .esus Christ( or at +east to hear it )ro3
nounced( $ithout *rindin* his teeth( as had hitherto
6een his )ractice" The' added( that the +a$s 6ore
$ith .e$s 4 that there $ere ei*ht thousand of them
e%en in Rome itse+f 4 that man' merchants are true
.e$s( and therefore that as Rome admitted $ithin
its $a++s ei*ht thousand chi+dren of the s'na*o*ue(
ene%a mi*ht $e++ to+erate one" At the sound of
#to+eration# the rest of the )astors( $ho $ere the
ma9orit'( *nashin* their teeth sti++ more than An3
G== Phi+oso)hica+
thon' did at the name of .esus Christ( and a+so
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 447/453
ea*er to Jnd an o))ortunit' to 6urn a man( $hich
cou+d not 6e done e%er' da'( ca++ed )erem)tori+'
for the 6urnin*" The' reso+%ed that nothin* cou+d
ser%e more to esta6+ish *enuine Christianit'4 that
the S)aniards had o6tained so much re)utation in
the $or+d on+' 6' 6urnin* the .e$s e%er' 'ear( and
that after a++( if the O+d Testament must )re%ai+
o%er the Ne$ Testament( od $ou+d not fai+ 2to
come and e7tin*uish the ames of the )i+e( as he
did at !a6'+on for Shadrach( 0eshac( and A6ed3
ne*o 4 in $hich case a++ must *o 6ac5 a*ain to the
O+d Testament 4 6ut that( in the meantime( it $as
indis)ensa6+e to 6urn Nicho+as Anthon'" On the
6rea5in* u) of the meetin*( the' conc+uded $ith the
o6ser%ation - #We must )ut the $ic5ed out of the
$a'# the %er' $ords the' used"
The +on*3headed s'ndics( Sarasin and odefroi(
a*reed that the reasonin* of the Ca+%inistic sanhe3
drim $as admira6+e( and 6' the ri*ht of the stron*3
est )art'( condemned Nicho+as Anthon'( the $ea53
est of men( to die the same death as Ca+anus and
the counse++or Du6our*" This sentence $as carried
into e7ecution on A)ri+ =( ;>G( in a %er' 6eautifu+
+a$n or meado$( ca++ed P+ain3Pa+ais( in the )resence
of t$ent' thousand )ersons( $ho 6+essed the ne$
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 448/453
+a$( and the $onderfu+ sense of the s'ndics Sarasin
and odefroi"
The od of A6raham( Isaac( and .aco6 did not
Dictionar'" G=;
rene$ the mirac+e of the furnace of !a6'+on in
fa%or of )oor Anthon'"
A6au1it( an author of *reat %eracit'( re+ates in
his notes( that he died in the *reatest constanc'( and
)ersisted in his o)inions e%en at the sta5e on the
)i+e4 he 6ro5e out into no )assionate in%ecti%e
a*ainst his 9ud*es $hen the e7ecutioner $as t'in*
him to the sta5e4 he dis)+a'ed neither )ride nor
)usi++animit' 4 he neither $e)t nor si*hed 4 he $as
resi*ned" Ne%er did mart'r consummate his sacri3
Jce $ith a more +i%e+' faith 4 ne%er did )hi+oso)her
contem)+ate a death of horror $ith *reater Jrmness"
This c+ear+' )ro%es that his fo++' or madness $as
at a++ e%ents attended $ith sincere con%iction" Let
us im)+ore of the od of 6oth the O+d and the Ne$
Testaments that he $i++ *rant him merc'"
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 449/453
I $ou+d sa' as much for the .esuit 0a+a*rida(
$ho $as sti++ more infatuated and mad than
Nicho+as Anthon'4 as I $ou+d a+so for the e73
.esuits Patoui++et and Pau+ian( shou+d the' e%er 6e
6rou*ht to the sta5e"
A *reat num6er of $riters( $hose misfortune it
$as to 6e )hi+oso)hers rather than Christians( ha%e
6een 6o+d enou*h to den' the mirac+es of our Lord 4
6ut after the four )riests a+read' noticed( there is
no necessit' to enumerate other instances" Let us
+ament o%er these four unfortunate men( +ed astra'
6' their o$n deceitfu+ reason( and )reci)itated 6'
the *+oom of their fee+in*s into an a6'ss so dreadfu+
and so fata+"
GO Phi+oso)hica+
0ISSION"
IT is far from our o69ect in this artic+e to reect
u)on the 1ea+ of our missionaries( or the truth of
our re+i*ion 4 these are su8cient+' 5no$n in Chris3
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 450/453
tian Euro)e( and du+' res)ected"
0' o69ect is mere+' to ma5e some remar5s on the
%er' curious and edif'in* +etters of the re%erend
fathers( the .esuits( $ho are not eHua++' res)ecta6+e"
Scarce+' do the' arri%e in India 6efore the' com3
mence )reachin*( con%ert mi++ions of Indians( and
)erform mi++ions of mirac+es" Far 6e it from me
to contradict their assertions" We a++ 5no$ ho$
eas' it must 6e for a !isca'an( a !er*amas5( or
a Norman to +earn the Indian +an*ua*e in a fe$
da's( and )reach +i5e an Indian"
With re*ard to mirac+es( nothin* is more eas'
than to )erform them at a distance of si7 thousand
+ea*ues( since so man' ha%e 6een )erformed at
Paris( in the )arish of St" 0edard" The su8cin*
*race of the 0o+inists cou+d undou6ted+' o)erate
on the 6an5s of the an*es( as $e++ as the e8cacious
*race of the .ansenists on those of the ri%er of the
o6e+ins" We ha%e( ho$e%er( said so much a+read'
a6out mirac+es that $e sha++ )ursue the su69ect no
further"
A re%erend father .esuit arri%ed in the course of
the )ast 'ear at De+hi( at the court of the *reat
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 451/453
0o*u+" &e $as not a man )rofound+' s5i++ed in
mathematics( or hi*h+' *ifted in mind( $ho had
Dictionar'" G=G
come to correct the ca+endar( or to esta6+ish his for3
tune( 6ut one of those )oor( honest( 1ea+ous .esuits(
one of those so+diers $ho are des)atched on )ar3
ticu+ar dut' 6' their *enera+( and $ho o6e' orders
$ithout reasonin* a6out them"
0" Andrais( m' factor( as5ed him $hat his 6usi3
ness mi*ht 6e at De+hi" &e re)+ied that he had
orders from the re%erend father Ricci to de+i%er
the reat 0o*u+ from the )a$s of the de%i+( and
con%ert his $ho+e court"
T&E .ES/IT"
I ha%e a+read' 6a)ti1ed t$ent' infants in tKe
street( $ithout their 5no$in* an'thin* at a++ a6out
the matter( 6' thro$in* a fe$ dro)s of $ater u)on
their heads" The' are no$ 9ust so man' an*e+s(
)ro%ided the' are ha))' enou*h to die direct+'" I
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 452/453
cured a )oor o+d $oman of the me*rims 6' ma5in*
the si*n of the cross 6ehind her" I ho)e in a short
time to con%ert the 0ahometans of the court and the
entoos amon* the )eo)+e" ?ou $i++ see in De+hi(
A*ra( and !enares( as man' *ood Catho+ics( adorers
of the Vir*in 0ar'( as 'ou no$ do ido+aters( ador3
in* the de%i+"
0" ANDRAIS"
?ou thin5 then( m' $orth' father( that the in3
ha6itants of these countries adore ido+s and the
de%i+ M
T&E .ES/IT"
/ndou6ted+'( as the' are not of m' re+i*ion"
G=Q Phi+oso)hica+ Dictionar'"
0" ANDRAIS"
Ver' $e++" !ut $hen there are as man' Catho3
+ics in India as ido+aters( are 'ou not afraid that
8/20/2019 Voltaire XI
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/voltaire-xi 453/453
the' $i++ J*ht a*ainst one another 4 that 6+ood $i++
o$ for a +on* )eriod( and the $ho+e countr' 6e a
scene of )i++a*e and de%astationM This has ha)3
)ened in e%er' countr' in $hich 'ou ha%e o6tained
a footin* hitherto"
T&E .ES/IT"
?ou ma5e one )ause for a moment 4 6ut nothin*
cou+d ha))en 6etter than that $hich 'ou su**est as
6ein* so )ro6a6+e" The s+au*htered Catho+ics
$ou+d *o to )aradise to the *arden and the
entoos to the e%er+astin* Jre of he++ created for
them from a++ eternit'( accordin* to the *reat merc'
of od( and for &is *reat *+or' 4 " for od is e7ceed3
in*+' *+orious"