Complete Works of Helvétius

If the Greeks had conquered only Asia, their name would now be forgotten. It is to the monuments they raised to the sciences and the arts that they still owe the tribute of admiration that our gratitude pays them.

We still share in the homage that the fine geniuses of Rome rendered to the generosity of Maecenas and Augustus. It is to that generosity that we owe the immortal works of Horace and Virgil. You will walk in their footsteps by encouraging the freedom of thought in your homeland. The chisel of superstition and theology must not clip the wings of genius. What is dangerous about the freedom to say everything? Even the wanderings of reason have often given birth to light from the bosom of darkness. There were never any errors that...