We can forgive much wickedness in men, if it
is redeemed by great virtues."
"Ah, sire, that is very sad," sad D'Argens, "and could only be
uttered by one who had the most profound love or the greatest
contempt for mankind."
"Perhaps the two are combined in me," said the king. "As Christ said
of the Magdalen, 'She has loved much, much will be forgiven her,' so
let us say of Voltaire. He has written much, much will be forgiven
him. He has lately rendered an immortal service, for which I could
almost love him, were it possible to love him at all. He undertook
with bold courage the defence of the unhappy Jean Calas, who was
murdered by fanatical French priests. The priests, perhaps, will
condemn him; we, however, honor him."
"Did not your majesty do the same thing?" asked D'Argens. "Did you
not also take pity on the unhappy family of Jean Calas? Did you not
send them a considerable amount of money and offer them an asylum in
your dominions?"
"That I did, certainly; but what is that in comparison with what
Voltaire has done? He gave them the strength of his mind and his
work, his best possession, while I could only give them gold.
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