Primary sourceBook1764
Dictionnaire philosophique
Voltaire · 1764
Voltaire's pocket-sized alphabetical dictionary attacking the Church, dogma and intolerance.
This dictionary distills Voltaire's deism and lifelong attack on religious dogma into short, quotable entries.
About this source
What it is
The Dictionnaire philosophique is an encyclopedic dictionary written by Voltaire and first published anonymously in Geneva in 1764. Its short articles, arranged alphabetically, often criticize the Catholic Church, Judaism, Islam and other institutions.
Why it matters
Voltaire designed the book to be small and affordable so that, in his words, 'revolutionary material' could be carried and spread easily. It summed up a lifetime of his views on religion, morality and intolerance, shaped by his visit to England and by the Calas affair. Because of its dangerous content, Voltaire published it anonymously through a different publisher than usual to protect his identity.
Look closer
- Why would a small, cheap book be more dangerous to authorities than a large expensive one?
- Why did Voltaire choose to publish this work anonymously?
- What subjects does the dictionary format allow Voltaire to cover that a single essay might not?
This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Voltaire on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
More Voltaire sources
Meet the AI Voltaire →
Ready when you are
Start chatting with Voltaire now.
20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.