Books Quote by Voltaire
““What is the verdict of the vastest mind? Silence: the book of fate is closed to us. Man is a stranger to his own research; He knows not whence he comes, nor whither goes. Tormented atoms in a bed of mud, Devoured by death, a mockery of fate. But thinking atoms, whose far-seeing eyes, Guided by thought, have measured the faint stars, Our being mingles with the infinite; Ourselves we never see, or come to know.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Untitled, 1764 (attributed)
The passage muses on humanity’s limited knowledge, the mystery of existence, and the contrast between mortal frailty and the boundless reach of thought.
In simple terms: Humans know little, yet thought connects us to the infinite.
Key Takeaway
Recognize our ignorance while valuing imagination.
Themes
existence
knowledge
mortality
infinity
thought
Mood
wonder
humble
thoughtful
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal contemplation
- scientific inquiry
- philosophical discussion
- spiritual practice
- education
Key Concepts
epistemology
metaphysics
human condition
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “thinking atoms” symbolize for you?
- Can we reconcile our smallness with our capacity to imagine?
A Different Perspective
The poetic style may obscure precise meaning, leading to varied interpretations.
