Imagine a sharply dressed Frenchman with a twinkle in his eye, typing furiously on Twitter (and being promptly banned for offending everyone and no one all at once). Voltaire’s pen was his weapon of choice, and his target was any institution that tried to stifle freedom, reason, or thought. As a champion of free speech, religious tolerance, and scepticism of authority, his ideas are as fresh today as they were in the 18th century. But how did a middle-class boy from Paris become one of history’s most celebrated thinkers? Let’s dive into the story of François-Marie Arouet—the man the world knows as Voltaire.

The making of a rebel

Born in 1694, François-Marie Arouet grew up in Paris, the youngest of five children in a middle-class family. His father, a notary, wanted him to follow a respectable career in law. But young François had other plans—plans that involved outsmarting authority and using his razor-sharp wit to critique the powers that be.

Educated by Jesuits, he soaked up knowledge but soon realised he had a knack for satire. His penchant for mocking those in power landed him in the Bastille at just 23, after he was accused of writing a poem that insulted the regent. While in prison, he adopted the pen name “Voltaire,” a clever anagram of sorts based on his family’s surname. This rebranding marked the birth of a fearless intellectual who would challenge kings, priests, and philosophers alike.

The Enlightenment’s star satirist

Voltaire’s rise as a cultural icon wasn’t just about his bold ideas—it was about how he delivered them. While the Enlightenment buzzed with discussions of reason, progress, and the rights of man, many of Voltaire’s contemporaries—think Rousseau, Diderot, and Kant—relied on dense philosophical tracts that were more likely to gather dust than change minds. Voltaire, on the other hand, understood the power of humour.

The more often a stupidity is repeated, the more it gets the appearance of wisdom. – Voltaire

He transformed satire into an intellectual weapon, crafting works that entertained even as they eviscerated the powerful. His wit wasn’t just sharp; it was surgical, slicing through complex ideas with clarity and accessibility. By wrapping serious critiques in playful prose and biting humour, Voltaire managed to reach audiences far beyond the scholarly elite.

Exile, England, and the seeds of revolution

In 1726, Voltaire’s penchant for mockery got him into serious trouble. After a spat with the chevalier de Rohan—a nobleman who took offence at Voltaire’s barbed tongue—Voltaire found himself imprisoned in the Bastille for the second time. When released, he was given a choice: leave France or face further persecution. He chose exile in England, a move that would profoundly shape his intellectual development.

In England, Voltaire encountered a society far different from the absolutist monarchy of his homeland. England’s relatively progressive system—a constitutional monarchy with a Parliament and a tradition of free speech (at least compared to France)—was a revelation. Voltaire marvelled at the freedoms enjoyed by English writers, scientists, and thinkers, from the radical works of John Locke to the plays of Shakespeare (whom he alternately admired and criticised).

This period of exile culminated in one of his most famous works: Letters on the English Nation. Part travelogue, part philosophical treatise, this collection of essays was a love letter to English liberty and a searing critique of French authoritarianism and Catholic orthodoxy. Voltaire praised England’s tolerance of religious diversity, its focus on empirical science (Isaac Newton was a personal hero), and its balance of power.

Unsurprisingly, Letters on the English Nation didn’t sit well with French authorities. The book was banned, and copies were burned. But banning Voltaire’s work only made it more popular—a pattern that would repeat throughout his life.

Voltaire’s big ideas

Voltaire wasn’t just a prolific writer; he was a relentless thinker, unafraid to challenge the pillars of his society. Let’s unpack some of the key ideas that defined his legacy.

Freedom of speech

The famous phrase, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,” may not have been Voltaire’s exact words, but it embodies his beliefs perfectly. Voltaire saw free speech as the foundation of intellectual progress. Debate and dissent, he argued, were the only ways to challenge dogma, correct errors, and move society forward.

Voltaire’s defence of freedom wasn’t theoretical—it was deeply personal. He faced exile, imprisonment, and censorship for speaking his mind, yet he never stopped writing. He understood that freedom of speech wasn’t about agreeing with everyone; it was about ensuring everyone had the right to speak, no matter how disagreeable their views might seem.

In a letter, he wrote: “Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too.” This belief was radical in a time when questioning the Church or the monarchy could cost you your head. Voltaire’s fierce commitment to free expression paved the way for modern debates on liberty and censorship.

Religious tolerance

Voltaire was one of the Enlightenment’s most vocal critics of religious fanaticism. He lived in a time when accusations of heresy or apostasy could lead to torture or execution.

In Treatise on Tolerance, Voltaire dismantled the absurdities of religious dogma and persecution with his characteristic sharpness: “Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” He argued for a universal humanity that transcended sectarian divisions, calling on society to prioritise reason over blind faith.

In today’s world of ideological extremism, Voltaire’s plea for tolerance remains strikingly relevant. His work serves as a reminder of the dangers of allowing fear or prejudice to override compassion and common sense.

Criticism of power

Through his satire, Voltaire revealed the hypocrisy, corruption, and incompetence of those in power. Yet his criticism wasn’t anarchistic; he wasn’t advocating for chaos. Instead, he called for accountability and reform. He admired systems, like England’s constitutional monarchy, that placed checks on power. His works often reflected a pragmatic philosophy: while perfection was impossible, improvement was always worth striving for.

One of his sharpest critiques was directed at organised religion, which he saw as an enabler of tyranny. Voltaire believed that faith should be personal and private, free from institutional interference. His battle cry, “Écrasez l'infâme!” (“Crush the infamous thing!”), wasn’t aimed at belief itself but at the abuses of religious institutions.

If you want to know who controls you, look at who you are not allowed to criticize. – Voltaire

The human condition

No discussion of Voltaire’s ideas is complete without mentioning Candide. Published in 1759, this novella remains one of the most biting works of satire ever written. Voltaire took aim at the philosophy of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, who argued that we live in “the best of all possible worlds” because a benevolent God could only create the best.

Voltaire’s response? A story so absurdly tragic that the idea of blind optimism collapses under its own weight. Candide, the protagonist, faces an endless string of disasters: war, natural disasters, betrayals, and grotesque injustices. Through these misadventures, Voltaire challenged the idea that suffering is somehow justified or part of a divine plan.

The moral of Candide is refreshingly grounded: instead of philosophising endlessly about the nature of the world, it’s better to “cultivate our garden”—to take practical, tangible steps to improve our circumstances and the lives of those around us. It’s a philosophy of action over abstraction, humility over hubris.

Voltaire’s ideas weren’t just reactions to his time—they were blueprints for the future. Whether advocating for free speech, tolerance, or realism, Voltaire insisted on questioning authority and taking responsibility for shaping a better world. His work challenges us to think critically, laugh courageously, and, above all, act with purpose.

Voltaire understood that ridicule, when done cleverly, could achieve what outright rebellion often could not.

Rousseau: the philosopher of freedom and contradiction

A revolutionary thinker, Rousseau championed freedom, nature, and the natural goodness of humanity. From his radical political ideas to his educational philosophy, Rousseau’s works continue to inspire and provoke debate.

Curious AlexanderCurious Alexander

Wit as a weapon

Voltaire’s humour wasn’t just for laughs—it was a finely honed weapon, cutting through dogma and deflating egos with precision. Where other philosophers buried their critiques in dense theories, Voltaire’s sharp wit and playful prose made his ideas both accessible and unforgettable.

Take his legendary quip: “I have only ever made one prayer to God, a very short one: ‘O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.’ And God granted it.” This wasn’t just a joke; it was a manifesto. Voltaire understood that ridicule, when done cleverly, could achieve what rebellion often could not. Laughter disarms, lingers, and invites reflection long after outrage fades.

The art of the elegant insult

Voltaire’s humour was never crude. It was sharp, elegant, and devastating. He famously reduced the Holy Roman Empire to a punchline: “neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire.” Such concise critiques turned him into a cultural icon, as much a performer as a philosopher.

Satire was his way of smuggling radical ideas past censors and into public discourse. It softened the blow of his critiques, allowing him to take on controversial issues like religious corruption or political tyranny without immediate backlash (though he faced exile and bans often enough). Voltaire’s biting commentary came with a wink, inviting readers to laugh while exposing the absurdities of the world.

The power of ridicule

Laughter, unlike argument, is difficult to counter—how do you fight satire? This made Voltaire uniquely dangerous to those in power. Despite his works being banned and his recurrent exile, Voltaire's impact grew, demonstrating that his critiques had resonated deeply.

His novella Candide exemplifies this subversive humour. Through exaggerated characters and absurd calamities, Voltaire skewered everything from religious hypocrisy to philosophical naïveté. Readers laughed, but they also questioned the status quo—a powerful and dangerous combination for any regime.

I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord make my enemies ridiculous.' And God granted it. – Voltaire

Why wit endures

Voltaire’s humour remains timeless. His quips still resonate because they tap into universal truths about power, hypocrisy, and human folly. Today, humour remains a potent tool for critique, from political cartoons to viral memes.

Voltaire understood that laughter could open doors that outrage never would. His legacy reminds us that wit, wielded wisely, remains one of the sharpest tools in the fight for truth and reason. By making us laugh and think, Voltaire ensured his ideas endure—and continue to inspire.

Voltaire's legacy

Voltaire’s influence wasn’t confined to his lifetime—it rippled outward, helping to ignite revolutions and reshape societies. His fearless critiques of oppression, his defence of individual liberty, and his insistence on reason over dogma laid the intellectual foundations for modern democracies. In particular, his ideas about free speech and tolerance became guiding principles for the French Revolution and influenced thinkers behind the American Constitution.

Voltaire didn’t just inspire political upheaval; he changed the way we think. His works encouraged people to challenge authority, question long-standing beliefs, and dare to imagine a world based on reason, justice, and equality. He made philosophy practical, demonstrating that ideas could break chains and transform nations.

Yet Voltaire wasn’t without flaws. His disdain for the uneducated masses could come across as elitist, and his personal contradictions—advocating for equality while benefiting from the privileges of wealth—make him a complicated figure. But perhaps that’s part of his brilliance: he reminds us that even great thinkers are human, grappling with the complexities of their time.

Today, Voltaire’s contributions remain monumental. His legacy is etched into the fabric of modern thought, urging us to keep questioning, keep laughing, and never take power—or ourselves—too seriously.

What would Voltaire say today?

If Voltaire were alive now, he’d likely be busier than ever, firing off tweets, penning essays, and sparking controversy with every word. A champion of free speech, he’d take aim at the digital age’s most pressing issues: censorship, fake news, and the perils of ideological echo chambers. Imagine his take on social media algorithms—tools that reinforce bias and stifle diverse thought. He’d probably describe them as the 21st century’s version of dogma, dressed up in ones and zeroes.

In a world grappling with so many challenges, Voltaire’s perspective would be a refreshing mix of wit and wisdom—a reminder that reason, humour, and bold ideas are still the most powerful forces for change.

Join the conversation

Which of Voltaire’s ideas do you think is most relevant today? Would you defend free speech, campaign for religious tolerance, or wield satire to challenge power? Share your thoughts—or your favourite Voltaire quote—in the comments.