12 Quotes From Great Enlightenment Thinkers
Science, philosophy, and government all underwent upheavals during the Enlightenment era in Europe, which lasted from the late 1600s to the early 1800s. It was known at the time as a new “Age of Reason” that centered rational thought above all else.
The Enlightenment was sparked by seminal works such as Isaac Newton’s Principia Mathematica, which introduced his laws of motion and gravity, and English philosopher John Locke’s essays on humans’ inherent right to freedom, which inspired Thomas Jefferson and other American revolutionaries in their pursuit of independence.
The great thinkers of the time took different stances on many topics, but largely upheld the importance of liberty, self-determination, and free thought over adherence to tradition. From this vantage point, they reimagined the individual’s place in society and the universe. These shifts in perspective led more people to question established authority and power structures as well as the unity of church and state, and they were key drivers of the political transformation in France, America, and other regions.
From the widespread adoption of the scientific method to the U.S. Revolutionary War, the Enlightenment saw significant cultural changes and major advancements in human knowledge and understanding. Through the 12 quotes below, we learn what key Enlightenment thinkers had to say about freedom, truth, happiness, and other intangible and essential elements of life.
French mathematician and philosopher René Descartes was known for his rationalist system of thought.
John Locke was an English philosopher who argued that freedom is an ingrained human right.
French philosopher Denis Diderot was the driving force behind the Encyclopédie, an ambitious encyclopedia published in France.
Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher who believed in a supreme, uncompromising principle of morality.
Benjamin Franklin was a scientist, political philosopher, polymath, and U.S. Founding Father.
Baruch Spinoza was a Dutch philosopher known for his biblical criticism and writings on ethical relativism.
Mary Wollstonecraft was an English philosopher and women’s rights activist who famously wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.
Frederick II led his country during multiple wars, promoted religious tolerance, and established a German code of law while participating in the great philosophical debates of the day.
English scientist and philosopher Isaac Newton contributed significantly to humankind’s understanding of gravity, motion, and other laws of nature.
Georges-Louis Leclerc was a French scientist and author who published extensive volumes of natural history.
David Hume was a Scottish philosopher who, like other empiricists, believed all human knowledge was derived from direct experience.
Founding Father and third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson was also the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. 
