BOSWELL: When I came to see you, I thought to see a very great, but a very bad man. VOLTAIRE: You are a very sincere. BOSWELL: Yes, but the same sincerity makes me own that I find the contrary. Only, your Dictionaire philosophique troubles me. For instance, Ame, the soul - " VOLTAIRE: That was a good article. BOSWELL: No. Excuse me. Is it - immortality - not a pleasing imagination? Is it not more noble? VOLTAIRE: Yes. You have a noble desire to be King of Europe. You say, 'I wish it, and I ask your protection in continuing to wish it.' But it is not probable.
Heee. The whole conversation is great, but this part in particular is very funny to me.
And wow, Boswell was shameless adept at getting himself invited indeed!
Re: Meeting Voltaire: as documented by James Boswell
VOLTAIRE: You are a very sincere.
BOSWELL: Yes, but the same sincerity makes me own that I find the contrary. Only, your Dictionaire philosophique troubles me. For instance, Ame, the soul - "
VOLTAIRE: That was a good article.
BOSWELL: No. Excuse me. Is it - immortality - not a pleasing imagination? Is it not more noble?
VOLTAIRE: Yes. You have a noble desire to be King of Europe. You say, 'I wish it, and I ask your protection in continuing to wish it.' But it is not probable.
Heee. The whole conversation is great, but this part in particular is very funny to me.
And wow, Boswell was
shamelessadept at getting himself invited indeed!