Now look, my friend, if you come to think it out you will find that in all things our real opinion is not the one from which we have never wavered, b… - Denis Diderot

Our real opinion is not one in which we have never wavered, but the one to which we have most regularly returned.

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

I give my mind the liberty to follow the first wise or foolish idea that presents itself, just as in the avenue de Foy our dissolute youths follow close on the heels of some strumpet, then leave her to pursue another, attacking all of them and attaching themselves to none. My thoughts are my strumpets.

The most dangerous madmen are those created by religion, and ... people whose aim is to disrupt society always know how to make good use of them on occasion.