Who said “Morals are in all countries the result of legislation and government; they are not…”?

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Denis Diderot. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceObservations on the Drawing Up of Laws (1774)

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“Morals are in all countries the result of legislation and government; they are not African or Asian or European: they are good or bad.”
— Denis Diderot
VerifiedObservations on the Drawing Up of Laws (1774) · evidenceMorality
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For academic work, cite the original where you can: Observations on the Drawing Up of Laws (1774).

APA

Diderot, D. (n.d.). Morals are in all countries the result of legislation and government; they are not African or Asian or European: they are good or bad. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29792-morals-are-in-all-countries-the-result-of/

MLA

Diderot, Denis. “Morals are in all countries the result of legislation and government; they are not African or Asian or European: they are good or bad.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29792-morals-are-in-all-countries-the-result-of/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Diderot, Denis. “Morals are in all countries the result of legislation and government; they are not African or Asian or European: they are good or bad.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29792-morals-are-in-all-countries-the-result-of/.

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