Great man Quote by Denis Diderot
![“[L]e philosophe n'a jamais tué de prêtres et le prêtre a tué beaucoup de philosophes... (The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.)” quote by Denis Diderot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c13/denis-diderot-1536_great-man_l-e-philosophe-n-a-jamais-tu-de-pr-tres_506737.jpg)
““[L]e philosophe n'a jamais tué de prêtres et le prêtre a tué beaucoup de philosophes... (The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.)””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Letter on the Blind, 1749
Philosophers and priests both wield power, but historically priests have violently suppressed thinkers.
In simple terms: Priests have historically killed many philosophers.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and protect free thought.
Themes
religion
philosophy
power
violence
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic discourse
- political debates
- media criticism
- education curricula
Key Concepts
history
ethics
intellectual freedom
Questions to Reflect On
- How does power corrupt institutions?
- What safeguards protect intellectuals?
A Different Perspective
Not all religious figures are oppressive; context varies.
