Great Throughts Treasury
This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
Baron d’Holbach, Paul Henri Thiry, born Paul Heinrich Dietrich
French-German Author, Philosopher, Encyclopedist and Prominent Figure in the French Enlightenment
"The universe shows us nothing save an immense and unbroken chain of cause and effect."
"Everything in nature is in continual motion… but it will be asked , from whence did she receive her motion? Our reply is, from herself, since she is the great whole, out of which consequently, nothing can exist."
"All religions are ancient monuments to superstition, ignorance, ferocity; and modern religions are only ancient follies rejuvenated."
"In short, the actions of man are never free; they are always the necessary consequences of his temperament, of the received ideas, and of the notions, either true or false, which he has formed to himself of happiness."