Complete Works of Helvétius

fanaticism and superstition have sought to consecrate that have sown trouble and division.

I thought I perceived in the letter with which your excellency has honored me that you doubt the success of your efforts a little, and this doubt is perhaps founded on the difficulty of granting a certain freedom to the writers of your nation. This freedom, however, is absolutely necessary. With chains on one's feet, one does not run; one crawls.

To create men who are illustrious in the sciences and the arts, it is not enough to shower them with largesse; one must not even lavish it upon them. Abundance sometimes dulls genius. The rich man extinguishes the love of glory in his enjoyments. It is through honors and distinctions that one must principally reward...