Philosophy 101

Reading Voltaire an Montesquieu this afternoon invigorated my mind. Philosophical writings usually make me anxious and confused. But as I sat and read, I was filled with admiration and understanding, my mind making connections I didn't think existed. Here is an extract (yes, if French):

Puissent tous les hommes se souvenir qu'ils sont frères ! qu'ils aient en horreur la tyrannie exercée sur les âmes, comme ils ont en exécration le brigandage qui ravit par la force le fruit du travail et de l'industrie paisible ! Si les fléaux de la guerre sont inévitables, ne nous haïssons pas, ne nous déchirions pas les uns les autres dans le sein de la paix, et employons l'instant de notre existance à bénir également en mille langages divers, depuis Siam jusqu'à la Californie, ta bonté qui nous a donné cet instant !

Yes, Voltaire did mention California, but not because it is "way awesome" but because of its geographical location. In this excerpt, he is writing a petition to God, pleading that man remember peace. That we remember our common roots and cringe at the idea of tyranny, that we don't hate, and that we declare God's goodness if thousands of languages all over the world.

Why was I always told that Voltaire hated religion? On the contrary, I find his words eternal and we would do well to find a place for them in our present society.