Ahhh, young François-Marie Arouet… The man we later all know as the sharp-witted, brilliant philosopher Voltaire, was born in Paris in 1694. His family provided him with an excellent education, but Voltaire’s intelligence and mischievous spirit made it impossible to confine him to an ordinary life.
🎭 In Paris: A Young and Dangerous Pen
1717… Voltaire is 23 years old. At that time, the aristocracy and members of the court were not fond of his sharp tongue. The young philosopher, through his sarcastic writings, irritated the palace circles and was soon sent to Paris’s famous and feared Bastille prison.
🏰 The Bastille: Birth of the Mind Behind the Walls
The Bastille, in the heart of Paris, was surrounded by high stone walls and served as a “thought laboratory” for political prisoners. There, Voltaire continued to write, read, and philosophize. Although his body was confined within these stone walls for weeks, his freedom of thought remained limitless.
📚 Traces in His Bastille Letters:
Voltaire even wrote ironic and witty letters to his guards. In one, he says:
“Iron bars? Ah, they only give me a little inspiration. For you can never hold back the freedom of my thoughts.” 😏
💡 Philosophy of Life: Reason, Humor, and Freedom
Voltaire’s philosophy rests on three pillars: reason, freedom, and tolerance.
- Reason: Let logic guide you; question instead of blindly following dogma.
- Freedom: The lesson from the Bastille: “We may be physically chained, but our thoughts can never be restricted.”
- Tolerance: Approach others with humor and intelligence rather than violence.
🖋 Humor and Irony: Voltaire’s Secret Weapon
Voltaire’s humor was not just for amusement—it was a philosophical weapon. He mocked the dull prison walls, wrote poems, and used irony to highlight social injustices.
📖 Excerpts and Quotes from His Works
1. Candide (1759)
Voltaire’s masterpiece after the Bastille, Candide critiques life’s injustices with sharp humor:
“The best of all possible worlds? Perhaps, but you must still cultivate your garden, for otherwise nothing sets itself right.”
This reflects Voltaire’s balance between optimism and realism.
2. Lettres philosophiques (1734)
These letters, where Voltaire reports his observations from England, defend free thought and rationality:
“In England, ideas are free; people can criticize and debate. This freedom is the progress of civilization.”
3. Traité sur la tolérance (1763)
In this work advocating religious tolerance, Voltaire emphasizes:
“No belief can chain the human mind. Tolerance is the true foundation of society.”
🌟 Philosophical Discoveries and Contributions
- Social Critique: Courageously criticizing injustices and the aristocracy.
- Freedom of Thought: The freedom of ideas advances society.
- Religion and Tolerance: Observing the impact of religious dogmas and advocating tolerance.
✨ Final Words
The stone walls of the Bastille did not stop Voltaire; on the contrary, they made him stronger. Today, if we can draw lessons from his works, quotes, and critical humor, it is thanks to his days spent in prison.
“No wall can prevent the freedom of thought; chains only test courage.” 💖
Voltaire’s story shows us that when reason, humor, and freedom combine, they can even shape history.
