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Young World
Voltaire
V.K.SUBRAMANIAN
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Voltaire (November 21, 1694- May 30, 1778) is considered the inspiration behind the French and American revolutions.
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Illustration: V.K. Subramanian
Voltaire, French philosopher, historian, poet, playwright, essayist and novelist, is considered the leader of french enlightenment, whose writings, soaked in satirical humour, spread the ideas of democracy, religious tolerance and fredom of expression.
Will durant remarked: “Italy had a Renaissance, Germany had a Reformation, but France had Voltaire.”
Voltaire is considered the inespiration behind the French and American revolutions.
His original name was Francois Marie Arouet, but he changed his name to Voltaire, while undergoing a prison sentence in royalist France.
Brilliance
Some of Voltaire’s witty sayings are immortal and inspiring: “I do not agree with a word you say, but will defend to death your right to say it.”
Voltaire lived upto the age of 84 was a prolific writer. His works include: Candide (a satirical novel), Philosophic Dictionary and Letters on the English.
He spent a few years in exile in England and became an admirer of English intellectuals.
There are several amusing anecdotes about Voltaire.
Some samples:
When he lay dying, a priest arrived. The philosopher asked: “Who sent you here?”
The priest replied: “God himself, Mr. Voltaire.”
Voltaire remarked: “My dear Sir! Where are your credentials?”
Voltaire used to drink enormous amounts of coffee, throughout his life. Somebody advised him to give it up saying coffee was a slow poison. Voltaire said: “It must be a slow poison for I have been drinking it for 65 years and I am not dead yet.”
Benjamin franklin wanted Voltaire to bless his grandson. Voltaire said: “God and Liberty.” These two words sum up the philosophy of the inveterate fighter against superstition, religious orthodoxy and autocracy.
This is an extract from the book The Great Ones by V.K.Subramanian, Abhinav Publications, New Delhi
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