All Posts Tagged With: "Voltaire"

Not Losing Sight of the Best in the Pursuit of Liberty

The eighteenth-century French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire warned that “the best is the enemy of the good.” He meant that in trying to pursue unattainable perfection, we may miss the opportunity to create something better than what we have. There is much wisdom in these words. But there is danger in its opposite: If we allow [...]

1Aug2006 | Richard M. Ebeling | 0 comments | Continued

The Origin of Religious Tolerance

In 1733 the philosopher credited with ushering in the French Enlightenment, François Marie Arouet de Voltaire, published Letters Concerning the English Nation. It was a pivotal work. Although written in French, the 24 letters were first issued from London in an English translation; the material was considered too politically dangerous for the author or any [...]

1Jun1998 | Wendy McElroy | 6 comments | Continued
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