Quotation Details

Quotation #331 from Michael Moncur's (Cynical) Quotations:

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
Voltaire, (Attributed); originated in "The Friends of Voltaire", 1906, by S. G. Tallentyre (Evelyn Beatrice Hall)
French author, humanist, rationalist, & satirist (1694 - 1778)  

Notes about this Quotation

  • Voltaire probably never said these exact words. They were written in 1906 by Evelyn Beatrice Hall (pseud. S. G. Tallentyre) in the biography "The Friends of Voltaire". The author did not attribute the words to Voltaire, but used them to sum up Voltaire's attitude:

    " 'I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,' was his attitude now. "

    - Here is the correct quote from S. G. Tallentyre.

    Two actual quotations from Voltaire that embody the same attitude:
    - Think for yourselves...
    - I detest what you write...
    [note by Michael Moncur, January 12, 2005]

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