There is always more goodness in the world than there appears to be, because goodness is of its very nature modest and retiring.

More from The Friends of Voltaire

• A Platonic friendship is perhaps only possible when one or other of the Platonists is in love with a third person.
• I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
• It is by character and not by intellect the world is won.
• Only a little, it might be. But if every man did the little he could — what a different world!
• It won’t be an easy journey. It’ll be long, and arduous. But I promise you one thing: on the memory of those lying here before you, we shall find it, and Earth shall become our new home. So say we all!
• A good heart is better than all the heads in the world.