Jean Meslier Quotes

Priest
France
1729

Jean Meslier (1664-1729) was a French Catholic priest and philosopher who is best known for his posthumously published book, “Testament,” which was an outspoken critique of organized religion and a call for atheism. Meslier was born in the village of Bar-le-Duc in Lorraine, France, and was ordained as a priest in 1687. He served as a parish priest in the village of Étrépigny for the rest of his life, and wrote his Testament in secret over the course of several decades. The Testament was discovered after his death and published in 1762, and it quickly became a major influence on the French Enlightenment. Meslier’s works also include “The Natural History of Superstition,” which was published in 1768, and “The Natural History of Religion,” which was published in 1770.Read Less

I would like the last of the kings to be strangled by the guts of the last priest. Feraz Zeid, January 18, 2024, Jean Meslier, Kings, Priests, 0

- Jean Meslier

Priest

· France

If God is incomprehensible to man, it would seem rational never to think of Him at all. Feraz Zeid, January 18, 2024, Jean Meslier, Rational, 0

- Jean Meslier

Priest

· France

Rational

… inventions and purely human institutions. Feraz Zeid, September 17, 2023, Jean Meslier, Atheism, Institutions, Invention, 0

- Jean Meslier

Priest

· France

Jean Meslier Career Highlights

Meslier was born in Mazerny, France in 1664 and was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1689.
He served as a priest in the small village of Étrépigny for over 40 years, where he was known for his dedication to his parishioners and his strong moral character.
Despite his devout Catholicism, Meslier began to question the teachings of the Church and became increasingly disillusioned with organized religion.
In secret, Meslier wrote his “Testament,” a 633-page manuscript that was discovered after his death in 1729.
The “Testament” was published in 1762 and caused a sensation, as it revealed Meslier’s true beliefs and called for an end to religious authority and the redistribution of wealth to create a more equal society.

Key Contributions by Jean Meslier

Meslier’s “Testament” is considered one of the earliest and most influential works of atheism and materialism.
He argued that religion was a tool used by the ruling class to control and exploit the masses, and that the concept of an afterlife was used to pacify the poor and prevent them from seeking justice in this life.
Meslier also advocated for the separation of church and state, and believed that true morality and virtue came from reason and compassion, rather than religious doctrine.
His ideas were considered radical and dangerous at the time, and his work was banned by the Catholic Church.

What Sets Jean Meslier Apart

Meslier’s “Testament” was a groundbreaking work that challenged the dominant religious and political beliefs of his time.
Unlike other philosophers and thinkers of his era, Meslier was not a member of the educated elite. He came from a humble background and his ideas were shaped by his experiences as a priest in a small village.
Meslier’s work was not published until after his death, which allowed him to express his true beliefs without fear of persecution.

Takeaways

Jean Meslier’s “Testament” is a powerful critique of religion and a call for social and political reform.
His ideas continue to influence philosophical and political thought, particularly in the areas of atheism, materialism, and social justice.
Meslier’s work serves as a reminder to question authority and to think critically about the world around us.

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