Voltaire

Posted by ESC on July 10, 2003

In Reply to: Voltaire posted by Harikrishnan Menon on July 10, 2003

: : : : : Can anyone please tell me who wrote "I disagree with what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it" and where does it come from?

: : : : French writer, satirist and the embodiment of the 18th-century Enlightenment, Voltaire is remembered as a crusader against tyranny and bigotry.

: : : Thank you Bruce. Wish I was half as knowledgeable as you guys.

: : : Doris

: : You probably wouldn't if you knew how many people do internet searches before responding...

:
: And if they're dedicated Googlers, they may even come across the following site, which suggests that Voltaire might not have been the one who said it in the first place...

I found something in a quote book, but I don't know what it means.

"Misquotations (heading)
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. to Helvetius, following the burning of 'De l'espirit' in 1759.

attributed to Voltaire, but in fact a later summary of his attitude by S.G. Tallentyre in 'The Friends of Voltaire' ..."

I'm not sure if that means Helvetius said it first. Or Voltaire was suppose to have said to Helvetius.

• Voltaire James Briggs 07/10/03
  • Voltaire ESC 07/10/03
    • Voltaire masakim 07/10/03
      • Voltaire ESC 07/11/03
        • Voltaire - lucky for us people feel this way Lotg 07/11/03
        • Voltaire - lucky for us people feel this way Lotg 07/11/03
          • That's crap! Lewis 07/11/03
            • That's crap! ESC 07/11/03
              • Who wrote it? Doris 07/12/03
              • Semi-crap Bob 07/12/03