Voltaire

Voltaire was a French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher known for his wit, criticism of Christianity, and advocacy of freedom of speech, separation of church and state, and civil liberties.

Books

Ranked Books All Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. Candide

or Optimism

"Candide" is a satirical novel that follows the adventures of a young man, Candide, who is living a sheltered life in an Edenic paradise and being indoctrinated with Leibnizian optimism by his mentor. When he is expelled from the paradise for kissing a baron's daughter, he embarks on a journey around the world, witnessing the horrors of war, natural disasters, and human cruelty. Throughout his journey, Candide maintains his optimistic philosophy, despite the constant hardships he faces, ultimately concluding that one must cultivate their own garden, a metaphor for taking control of one's own destiny.

The 80th Greatest Book of All Time

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2. Zadig

or, The Book of Fate

The book is an Enlightenment-era philosophical novel that follows the adventures of its eponymous hero, a young nobleman in ancient Babylonia. Through a series of misfortunes and experiences, including love, injustice, and chance, the protagonist explores themes of fate, free will, and the search for truth. His journey is marked by encounters with a diverse cast of characters, each representing different aspects of society and human nature. The protagonist's wisdom and observations on human folly and the ironies of life offer a satirical critique of the social and political systems of the day, ultimately advocating for enlightenment and reason over superstition and tyranny.

The 3373rd Greatest Book of All Time

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3. Correspondence

"Correspondence" is a collection of letters written by a renowned philosopher and writer, providing an intimate insight into his life and thoughts. The book offers an unparalleled glimpse into the author's relationships, conversations, and debates with other leading figures of the Enlightenment era. It also reveals his views on a range of subjects including politics, religion, and literature, making it a rich resource for understanding the intellectual climate of the 18th century.

The 3615th Greatest Book of All Time

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4. Letters On England

Philosophical Letters

The book is a series of essays written in the form of letters that offer a critical examination of various aspects of English society, including its politics, religion, and culture, during the early 18th century. The author, a prominent Enlightenment thinker, contrasts the relative freedom and tolerance he observes in England with the more rigid and hierarchical society of his native country. Through his observations, he praises the English constitutional monarchy, the country's scientific achievements, and its respect for individual liberties, while also reflecting on the nature of trade, the role of the press, and the philosophies of notable English figures. The work is notable for its advocacy of religious tolerance and freedom of thought, and it played a significant role in promoting English ideas to a Continental audience.

The 4163rd Greatest Book of All Time

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5. An Essay On Universal History, The Manners, And Spirit Of Nations

From the Reign of Charlemagne to the Age of Louis XIV

This work offers a comprehensive examination of world history, focusing on the cultural, social, and intellectual developments that have shaped civilizations over time. It critiques traditional historical narratives by emphasizing the importance of understanding the customs, beliefs, and spirit of different nations. The author advocates for a more inclusive and critical approach to history, highlighting the interconnectedness of global events and the influence of philosophical ideas on societal progress. Through this analysis, the text seeks to illuminate the broader patterns and forces that have driven human history, promoting a vision of history that transcends nationalistic and Eurocentric perspectives.

The 6370th Greatest Book of All Time

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6. The Lisbon Earthquake

An Inquiry into the Causes of Natural Disasters

The book in question is a philosophical exploration of the problem of evil, prompted by the catastrophic 1755 earthquake that devastated Lisbon. Through a series of poetic verses, the author grapples with the theological and moral questions raised by such natural disasters, challenging the optimistic belief that this is the best of all possible worlds and questioning the justice of a benevolent deity allowing such suffering. The work is a profound meditation on human suffering, divine providence, and the limits of philosophical and religious consolation in the face of overwhelming disaster.

The 7199th Greatest Book of All Time

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7. Micromégas

A Philosophical History

"Micromégas" is a philosophical satire that tells the story of a giant from a planet circling the star Sirius, and his adventures traveling through the universe. Along with a companion from Saturn, who is also of considerable size though smaller than Micromégas, they visit Earth. Here, they interact with humanity, initially struggling to even perceive humans due to the vast difference in scale. The story explores themes of perspective, the relative nature of size and intelligence, and the limitations of human understanding. Through witty dialogue and ironic situations, the narrative critiques the arrogance and ignorance of human institutions and philosophies, highlighting the enlightenment ideals of reason and empirical knowledge.

The 13327th Greatest Book of All Time

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8. Candide And Other Stories

The Portable Voltaire

Set against the backdrop of a tumultuous world, this collection of stories follows the journey of an optimistic young man who is thrust into a series of misadventures that challenge his unwavering belief in the inherent goodness of the world. Through encounters with a colorful cast of characters, including philosophers, nobles, and common folk, the protagonist navigates a landscape rife with absurdity, injustice, and irony. Each tale serves as a sharp critique of societal norms and philosophical doctrines, ultimately questioning the nature of happiness and the human condition in a world fraught with chaos and unpredictability.

The 16916th Greatest Book of All Time

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9. L'ingénu

ou L'Enfant trouvé

The novel tells the story of a Huron, referred to as the "Ingénu," who arrives in France and navigates the complexities of European society with his straightforward and honest nature. His interactions with the French reveal the absurdities and hypocrisies of the social, religious, and political institutions of the time. Through his innocent perspective, the narrative critiques the corruption and irrationality prevalent in 18th-century France, highlighting themes of freedom, justice, and the clash between natural human instincts and societal conventions.
10. The White Bull

Set in ancient Egypt, the narrative unfolds as a satirical tale that intertwines mythological elements with philosophical musings. The story follows the adventures of Princess Amasidia, who is on a quest to rescue her beloved, a prince transformed into a white bull by a vengeful sorceress. As she navigates a world filled with gods, magic, and political intrigue, the narrative cleverly critiques the absurdities of superstition and the follies of human nature, all while maintaining a light-hearted and whimsical tone.

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11. Zadig Et Autres Contes

Set in ancient Babylon, the narrative follows the adventures of a young philosopher who embarks on a journey filled with unexpected trials and tribulations. His quest for wisdom and justice leads him through a series of encounters with various characters, each presenting moral dilemmas and philosophical challenges. Through wit, irony, and sharp social commentary, the story explores themes of fate, love, and the pursuit of truth, ultimately highlighting the unpredictability of life and the resilience of the human spirit.

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12. Candide, Zadig, And Selected Stories

This collection of satirical tales explores the absurdities and contradictions of human nature and society through the adventures of its protagonists. The stories, set in a world rife with philosophical debates and moral dilemmas, follow characters who navigate a series of misfortunes and encounters that challenge their beliefs and perceptions. With wit and irony, the narratives critique the optimism of the Enlightenment era, questioning the notion of a perfect world and highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

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13. Cartas Filosóficas Y Otros Escritos

y otros escritos

A vibrant set of essays, often framed as letters, contrasts English society with continental norms to champion empiricism, scientific inquiry, religious tolerance, free commerce, and constitutional liberty while denouncing clerical privilege, dogma, and absolutism. It celebrates the achievements of modern science and philosophy, admires the simplicity and ethics of dissenting sects, and uses sharp, comparative observation to argue for freedom of thought and civil rights. The additional pieces extend these Enlightenment themes, deepening the critique of fanaticism and superstition and calling for reform grounded in reason and humane values.
14. O Filósofo Ignorante

A concise philosophical essay that probes the limits of human knowledge, dismantling grand metaphysical systems with skeptical rigor and playful irony. It affirms a modest, deistic recognition of a creator inferred from nature while rejecting superstition, scholastic abstractions, and sectarian dogma, advocating tolerance, practical ethics, and intellectual humility over speculative certainty.
15. The Elements Of Newton's Philosophy

Explained by Mr. Voltaire

A clear, accessible introduction to early modern natural philosophy, this work explains the laws of motion and universal gravitation, the experimental study of light and color through prisms, and the structure of the cosmos, while challenging Cartesian vortices and speculative metaphysics. Emphasizing observation, experiment, and mathematical reasoning, it translates complex scientific ideas into plain language for a broad audience and reflects on the implications of space, time, and natural causes for understanding the physical world.

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16. Treatise On Toleration

à l'occasion de la mort de Jean Calas

Written in the wake of the Calas affair, this polemic denounces religious fanaticism and judicial cruelty while urging compassion, reason, and freedom of conscience. It argues that no creed justifies persecution, calls for civil moderation and legal reform, and champions universal tolerance as essential to social harmony. Drawing on historical examples and moral appeals, it promotes a humane, rational order over dogma and sectarian hatred.

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17. Le Monde Comme Il Va Et Autres Contes Extraits De Zadig Et Autres Contes

A collection of sharp, witty philosophical tales in which curious protagonists—among them a Babylonian sage and a skeptical observer—navigate exotic courts, capricious rulers, and improbable misfortunes to test the limits of justice, fate, and human reason. Through ironic twists and satirical episodes, the narratives expose superstition, hypocrisy, and abuses of power while balancing human folly with moments of virtue, ultimately advocating tolerance, critical inquiry, and modest reform over naive optimism or despair.

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18. Treatise On Tolerance And Other Writings

A passionate defense of religious tolerance and reason, this collection confronts superstition, fanaticism, and legal injustice through sharp satire and philosophical argument. Prompted by a notorious miscarriage of justice, the writings argue for humane laws, freedom of conscience, and the use of reason to reform society and curb clerical and judicial abuses. Overall, it champions Enlightenment principles of liberty, fairness, and skepticism toward dogma.

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19. Candide Et Autres Contes

ou l'Optimisme

A brisk, biting satirical collection that follows a naïve protagonist through a series of globe‑trotting misadventures in which war, natural disasters, betrayal, hypocrisy, religious fanaticism, and colonial exploitation repeatedly expose the absurdity of optimistic philosophical doctrines; the episodic tales and shorter pieces use irony and wit to unmask social and intellectual pretensions and conclude with a pragmatic moral urging modest, practical work and common sense over empty speculation.

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20. Philosophical Dictionary

An alphabetical collection of short, sharp entries that blend brisk philosophical argument, satire and biting social critique, challenging superstition, clerical power and religious fanaticism while championing reason, tolerance, civil liberty and empirical inquiry. Through paradox, irony and concise essays the work skewers dogma, exposes hypocrisy in politics and religion, defends freedom of thought, and promotes enlightened reforms in law, education and public life. Its tone is polemical yet witty, aimed at persuading readers to question received authorities and embrace skeptical, humane principles.

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21. Romans Volume 5
22. The History Of Charles Xii King Of Sweden

A brisk historical narrative of Charles XII’s life and reign, tracing his early military brilliance, relentless campaigns across Europe, and obsessive drive for dominance that culminates in the catastrophic Russian campaign and the defeat at Poltava; it follows his subsequent exile and death and assesses the political and human consequences for Sweden and northern Europe, contrasting admiration for his courage with a critical analysis of the dangers of absolutist ambition and the role of chance in shaping historical outcomes.

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23. Candide And Other Writings

And Other Writings

A razor‑sharp satirical collection of novellas, stories and essays that lampoon blind optimism, religious and political hypocrisy, war, colonial cruelty and human folly through the episodic misadventures of an innocent protagonist and a gallery of grotesque characters; as he travels from idyllic courts to blasted battlefields, shipwrecks, slave markets and the mythical utopia of El Dorado, the work dissects philosophical platitudes and social abuses with dark humor, ultimately rejecting abstract metaphysical consolation in favor of pragmatic labor and modest contentment.

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