These brief essays form a thought-provoking analysis of 18th-century social and religious conventions. Voltaire's sardonic wit lends a modern feeling to his writings on God, mortality, freedom, justice, and other timeless concerns.

A masterpiece of Enlightenment-era literature, this collection of brief, incisive essays constitutes a thought-provoking analysis of eighteenth-century social and religious conventions. Voltaire intended to entertain as well as to enlighten, and his sardonic wit lends a strikingly modern feeling to these writings.One of France's most celebrated citizens, Voltaire (1694-1778) is best known for his satirical novel Candide. His political treatises, which frequently put him at odds with the church and state, have exercised enormous influence on political theorists, philosophers, educators, and historians. This compilation, first published in 1764, covers a broad range of topics. Organized alphabetically, its subjects range from adultery, atheism, bankruptcy, and common sense to religion, superstition, tolerance, and virtue.

Preface by VoltaireAdulteryAdvocateAncients and ModernsAnimalsAntiquityArtsAstrologyAtheismAuthorityAuthorsBanishmentBankruptcyBeautyBishopBooksBouleverdBourgesBrahminsCharacterCharlatanCivil LawsClimateCommon SenseConcatenation of EventsContradictionsCornCromwellCustomsDemocracyDestinyDevoutEcclesiastical MinistryEmblemEnglish Theatre, On theEnvyEqualityExpiationExtremeEzourveidamFaithFalse MindsFatherlandFinal CausesFraudFree-WillFrenchFriendshipGodHelvetiaHistoryIgnoranceImpiousJoan of ArcKissingLanguagesLawsLibertyLibraryLimits of the Human MindLocal CrimesLoveLuxuryManMan In the Iron MaskMarriageMasterMen of LettersMetamorphosisMilton, On the Reproach of Plagiarism Against MohammedansMountainNakednessNatural LawNatureNecessaryNew NoveltiesPhilosopherPower, OmnipotencePrayersPrecis of Ancient PhilosophyPrejudicesRareReasonReligionSectSelf-EsteemSoulStates, GovernmentsSuperstitionTearsTheistToleranceTruthTyrannyVirtueWhy?Declaration of Admirers, Questioners and Doubters