Who said “The arbitrary rule of a just and enlightened prince is always bad. His virtues are the…”?

Verified

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

Source"Refutation of Helvétius" (written 1773-76, published 1875)

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“The arbitrary rule of a just and enlightened prince is always bad. His virtues are the most dangerous and the surest form of seduction: they lull a people imperceptibly into the habit of loving, respecting, and serving his successor, whoever that successor may be, no matter how wicked or stupid.”
— Denis Diderot
Verified"Refutation of Helvétius" (written 1773-76, published 1875) · evidenceDespotism
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: "Refutation of Helvétius" (written 1773-76, published 1875).

APA

Diderot, D. (n.d.). The arbitrary rule of a just and enlightened prince is always bad. His virtues are the most dangerous and the surest form of seduction: they lull a people imperceptibly into the habit of loving, respecting, and serving his successor, whoever that successor may be, no matter how wicked or stupid. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/9554-the-arbitrary-rule-of-a-just-and-enlightened/

MLA

Diderot, Denis. “The arbitrary rule of a just and enlightened prince is always bad. His virtues are the most dangerous and the surest form of seduction: they lull a people imperceptibly into the habit of loving, respecting, and serving his successor, whoever that successor may be, no matter how wicked or stupid.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/9554-the-arbitrary-rule-of-a-just-and-enlightened/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Diderot, Denis. “The arbitrary rule of a just and enlightened prince is always bad. His virtues are the most dangerous and the surest form of seduction: they lull a people imperceptibly into the habit of loving, respecting, and serving his successor, whoever that successor may be, no matter how wicked or stupid.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/9554-the-arbitrary-rule-of-a-just-and-enlightened/.

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