All abstract sciences are nothing but the study of relations between signs.
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

Bad company is as instructive as licentiousness. One makes up for the loss of one's innocence with the loss of one's prejudices.
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

Every man has his dignity. I'm willing to forget mine, but at my own discretion and not when someone else tells me to.
Denis Diderot

Evil always turns up in this world through some genius or other.
Denis Diderot

From fanaticism to barbarism is only one step.
Denis Diderot

Gaiety is a quality of ordinary men. Genius always presupposes some disorder in the machine.
Denis Diderot

Genius is present in every age, but the men carrying it within them remain benumbed unless extraordinary events occur to heat up and melt the mass so that it flows forth.
Denis Diderot

Good music is very close to primitive language.
Denis Diderot

Gratitude is a burden, and every burden is made to be shaken off.
Denis Diderot

His hands would plait the priest's guts, if he had no rope, to strangle kings.
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

In order to shake a hypothesis, it is sometimes not necessary to do anything more than push it as far as it will go.
Denis Diderot

It is not human nature we should accuse but the despicable conventions that pervert it.
Denis Diderot

It is said that desire is a product of the will, but the converse is in fact true: will is a product of desire.
Denis Diderot

It is very important not to mistake hemlock for parsley, but to believe or not believe in God is not important at all.
Denis Diderot

Justice is the first virtue of those who command, and stops the complaints of those who obey.
Denis Diderot

Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.
Denis Diderot