Voltaire quotes
1694 – 1778 · European Enlightenment, 18th century · Writer, philosopher, historian, playwright, polemicist
About Voltaire
Born 1694, died 1778, Voltaire wrote plays, essays, history and polemics. A leading Enlightenment figure, he attacked clerical and political abuses and promoted deism and tolerance. Works include Candide, Letters on England and A Treatise on Tolerance. Many popular sayings attributed to him lack primary-source verification and should be checked.
Works: Candide; Letters on England; A Treatise on Tolerance
Quotes
“Give me the patience for the small things of life, courage for the great trials of life. Help me to do my best each day and then go to sleep knowing God is awake.”
Source: no specific work is documented · Check the source
MisattributedWhat we know
- What is documented
- Scholarly evidence shows the quotation is misattributed to Voltaire; researchers point to a version linked to Victor Hugo but find no primary-source text.
- What remains uncertain
- The Hugo connection explains the tone, yet no definitive Hugo passage has been identified; the common Voltaire wording appears to be a modern paraphrase.
This short prayer contrasts two practical virtues: courage for great trials and patience for small annoyances, then asks for the peace to sleep after doing one's daily work. It is widely credited to Voltaire in popular sources, but scholarship links the wording more closely to Victor Hugo without a secure primary source.