Claude Adrien Helvétius quotes
Claude Adrien Helvétius was a French philosopher and prominent figure of the Enlightenment. His works explored topics such as education, human nature, and the pursuit of happiness. He challenged traditional views and advocated for rational thought and social reform. Here are 19 of his quotes:
Most events spring from causes equally small: we are unacquainted with them because most historians have been themselves ignorant of them, or have not had eyes capable of perceiving them. It is true, that, in this respect, the mind may repair their omissions; for the knowledge of certain principles easily compensates the lack of knowledge of certain facts.
Claude Adrien Helvétius
Discipline is, in a manner, nothing else but the art of inspiring the soldiers with greater fear of their officers than of the enemy. This fear has often the effect of courage: but it cannot prevail against the fierce and obstinate valor of people animated by fanaticism, or warm love of their country.
Claude Adrien Helvétius
...there are men whom a happy disposition, a strong desire of glory and esteem, inspire with the same love for justice and virtue, which men in general have for riches and honours.
The actions personally advantageous for these virtuous men are so truly just, that they tend to promote the general welfare, or, at least, not to lessen it.
But the number of these men is so small, that I only mention them in honour of humanity.
Claude Adrien Helvétius