Voltaire's Philosophical Dictionary · Voltaire
OUANG:
You will admit to me that these philosophers will deny your inventions still more strongly; so you gain nothing from that. Though there are philosophers who do not agree with my principles, there are honest people none the less; none the less do they cultivate the virtue of them, which must be embraced by love, and not by fear. But, further, I maintain that no philosopher would ever be assured that Providence did not reserve pains for the wicked and rewards for the good. For if they ask me who told me that God punishes? I shall ask them who has told them that God does not punish. In fine, I maintain that these philosophers, far from contradicting me, will help me. Would you like to be a philosopher? Willingly; but do not tell the fakirs. Let us think above all that, if a philosopher wishes to be useful to human society, he must announce a God. [6] A li is 124 paces.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.