All things must be examined, debated, investigated without exception and without regard for anyone's feelings.

— Denis Diderot

Although a man may wear fine clothing, if he lives peacefully; and is good, self-possessed, has faith and is pure; and if he does not hurt any living being, he is a holy man.

— Denis Diderot

Distance is a great promoter of admiration!

— Denis Diderot

Disturbances in society are never more fearful than when those who are stirring up the trouble can use the pretext of religion to mask their true designs.

— Denis Diderot

Do you see this egg? With this you can topple every theological theory, every church or temple in the world.

— Denis Diderot

How had they met? By chance, like everybody else. What were there names? What's it to you? Where were they coming from? From the nearest place. Where were they going? Does anyone really know where they're going?

— Denis Diderot

If there is one realm in which it is essential to be sublime, it is in wickedness. You spit on a petty thief, but you can't deny a kind of respect for the great criminal.

— Denis Diderot

If you want me to believe in God, you must make me touch him.

— Denis Diderot

Instinct guides the animal better than the man. In the animal it is pure in man it is led astray by his reason and intelligence.

— Denis Diderot

I picture the vast realm of the sciences as an immense landscape scattered with patches of dark and light. The goal towards which we must work is either to extend the boundaries of the patches of light, or to increase their number. One of these tasks falls to the creative genius; the other requires a sort of sagacity combined with perfectionism.

— Denis Diderot