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Who said I disapprove with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
This quote is regularly and, apparently, incorrectly attributed to either Voltaire or Patrick Henry. (See related links for sources.)
Though Voltaire merits some credit, the precise statement only occurs in the writing about Voltaire by Evelyn Beatrice Hall (pseudonym S. G. Tallentyre) in her biography of the master French author, satirist and philosopher, entitled "The Friends of Voltaire" (c. 1906).
The men who had hated [the book], and had not particularly loved Helvétius, flocked round him now. Voltaire forgave him all injuries, intentional or unintentional. 'What a fust about an omelette!' he had exlaimed when he heard of the burning. How abominably unjust to persecute a man for such an airy trifle as that! 'I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,' was his attitude now.
Tallentyre herself does not attribute this quotation directly to Voltaire, but rather she uses it to summarize and/or generalize the thoughts of the author; thoughts expressed in a closely similar quotation which is indeed unique to Voltaire:
"Monsieur l'abbé, I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write," wrote Voltaire himself in a letter to Monsieur le Riche, dated February 6, 1770.
The congruous similarities between Tallentyre's rephrasing of ideas unique to Voltaire and Voltaire's own direct quotation of a nearly equivalent meaning justify the popular (albeit inaccurate) trend of most French, Francophone and/or Francophile peoples to attribute this quotation directly to Voltaire, just as Tallentyre most likely would have hoped.
Therefore, it is arguably neither completely correct nor completely incorrect to attribute this quote to Voltaire, when in fact the original source material was written by S. G. Tallentyre (a.k.a. Evelyn Beatrice Hall) in 1906 -- a century and a half after the death of Voltaire.
Related Links: An example of the misattribution of the quote is in the link to Dictionary and one of many correct references to the source is provided at Wikiquotes.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
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What did Voltaire say he would defend to the death?
Voltaire famously said, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." This statement encapsulates his belief in free speech and tolerance for differing opinions, even those he disagreed with.
Who was the French philosopher who called for freedom of speech?
Voltaire, he was the philosopher who also believed in freedom of belief.
Who said 'The right to free speech is more important than the content of the speech'?
Voltaire is credited with saying, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." In reality, Evelyn Beatrice Hall, a biographer of Voltaire, wrote it to illustrate Voltaire's beliefs about free speech.
Who said i do not agree with the word you say but I'll defend to death your right to say it?
It was the French philosopher Voltaire who said, "I do not agree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it." Obviously, he believed in "freedom of speech!"
Who said i do not agree with a word you say but i will defend to the death your rightto say it?
" je ne suis pas d'accord avec ce que vous dites, mais je me battrai jusqu'au bout pour que vous puissiez le dire"is a sentence attributed to the french philosopher Voltaire in 1770
Who is the French philosopher who said I do not agree with a word you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it?
VoltaireVoltaire, Wrong Evelyn Beatrice Hall wrote this quote In her biography on Voltaire
Did Thomas Paine use the quote from Voltaire I do not agree with a word you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it in the pamphlet Common Sense?
Voltaire said it in french and Payne translated it :)
What early American patriot said I may not agree with what you say but will defend to the eath your right to say it?
Patrick Henry said that, just before his famous statement, "Give me liberty or give me death." It was soon after that the United States fought Britain for its independence and won.
What group said give you liberty or give you death also a government of your own is your natural right?
Patrick Henry was an important historical figure that said, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" He also said,"A government of your own is your natural right." Hope this helps!
What peter lalor said at the eureka stockade?
we swear by the southern cross to stand truly by each other and fight to defend our right and liberties!
Nathan Hale what he said before he died?
Nathan Hale said "give me liberty or give me death" right before he was hung.
Who said I disagee with what you say but defend your right to say it?
A variation of this quote is widely attributed to Voltaire, but was probably written by a person named Evelyn Beatrice Hall.
