Voltaire’s Philosophical Dictionary (1764) – 1900 Edition
 |
| Voltaire Philosophical Dictionary (1764) – 1900 Edition (PDF) |
Voltaire’s definitions are short, pointed, and almost always laced with irony.
From preface:
This book does not demand continuous reading ; but at whatever place one opens it, one will find matter for reflection. The most useful books are those of which readers themselves compose half; they extend the thoughts of which the germ is presented to them; they correct what seems defective to them, and they fortify by their reflections what seems to them weak.
It is only really by enlightened people that this book can be read; the ordinary man is not made for such knowledge; philosophy will never be his lot.
Those who say that there are truths which must be hidden from the people, need not be alarmed; the people do not read; they work six days of the week, and on the seventh go to the inn. In a word, philosophical works are made only for philosophers, and every honest man must try to be a philosopher, without pluming himself on being one.
This alphabet is extracted from the most estimable works which are not commonly within the reach of the many; and if the author does not always mention the sources of his information, as being well enough known to the learned, he must not be suspected of wishing to take the credit for other people's work, because he himself preserves anonymity, according to this word of the Gospel:
"Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth."
A pocket-sized arsenal of razor-sharp essays that Voltaire used to smuggle Enlightenment ideas past censors. In short alphabetical entries—everything from “Abraham” to “Zoroaster”—he mocks superstition, champions tolerance, and insists reason should replace dogma. The 1900 English edition keeps that fire alive for modern readers who want 18th-century wit without the archaic language. Perfect if your audience likes bite-sized philosophy that still stings.
Passages from Voltaire’s Philosophical Dictionary (1764), quoted from the 1900 English edition:
1. On Superstition
“Superstition is to religion what astrology is to astronomy: the foolish daughter of a wise mother.”
2. On Tolerance
“If we believe absurdities, we shall commit atrocities.”
3. On Fanaticism
“Fanaticism is the one and only thing that makes murder respectable.”
4. On Miracles
“A miracle is the violation of mathematical, divine, immutable, eternal laws; and a miracle is therefore an absurdity.”
5. On Free Will & Providence
“Providence has given us the freedom to choose, and then punishes us for choosing wrongly—such is the logic of priests.”
6. On Equality
“All men are born with a nose and four fingers; everything else is acquired or imposed.”
How Voltaire defined Gods and prophet?
Prophet
“Prophet: one who foretells events that cannot possibly happen, and who is believed because the event is impossible.”
Gods (in the entry “Gods”)
“Men have made as many gods as they have had follies and misfortunes. Every village had its own; every family its own household god; and every man his private god, to whom he addressed his prayers when reason deserted him.”
(He adds, a few lines later:)
“The god of the Jews became the devil of the Christians, and the god of the Christians became the devil of the Mahometans; such is the progress of theology.”
Published by
New York CARLTON HOUSE
Given that the book contains 372 pages,this is collection of Voltaire dictionary not the full translation..but still a good read!