Pierre Bayle

wit invention thought book

“There is not less wit nor less invention in applying rightly a thought one finds in a book, than in being the first author of that thought.”

― Pierre Bayle (1647-1706)

historian crime weakness disorder satire

“If an historian were to relate truthfully all the crimes, weaknesses, and disorders of mankind, his readers would take his work for satire rather than for history.”

― Pierre Bayle (1647-1706)

tolerance peace disorder

"It is thus tolerance that is the source of peace, and intolerance that is the source of disorder and squabbling."

― Pierre Bayle (1647-1706)

antiquity acceptance opinion truth

"The antiquity and general acceptance of an opinion is not assurance of its truth."

― Pierre Bayle (1647-1706)

religion deceive easy undeceive hard

"In matters of religion, it is very easy to deceive a man and very hard to undeceive him."

― Pierre Bayle (1647-1706)

god religion magistracy concience justice injury honest give

"There was no other God, religion, or lawful magistracy, than conscience, which teaches all men the precepts of Justice, to do no injury, to live honestly, and give everyone his due."

― Pierre Bayle (1647-1706)

nation warlike christianity

"No nations are more warlike than those which profess Christianity."

― Pierre Bayle (1647-1706)