Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd. — Voltaire | Printable Wall Art

“Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.”

Words by Voltaire (1694-1778) — French Enlightenment writer and philosopher.

About this quote

Voltaire suggests that living with uncertainty can feel uncomfortable and unsettling, yet claiming absolute truth is foolish. Human knowledge is naturally limited, so remaining open to question is far wiser than clinging stubbornly to fixed beliefs. The quote encourages intellectual humility, reminding us that questioning our assumptions is a necessary part of a thoughtful, honest life.

This observation comes from a letter Voltaire wrote to Frederick the Great in April 1770. It captures the core spirit of the Enlightenment, advocating reason and scepticism over rigid dogmatism and religious fanaticism.

People often display this quote in a home study or library to inspire open-mindedness and quiet contemplation.

What you get

An instant digital download. Choose your design and size at checkout — 19 typographic designs and 8 print sizes are available for this quote.

• Print-ready PDF with fully embedded vector type — sharp at any scale
• Exact trim size, no cropping required
• Print at home, at a local print shop, or upload to an online printer
• Instant download — no physical item is shipped

Sizes available

5" x 7" · 8" x 10" · 11" x 14" · 12" x 16" · 16" x 20" · 18" x 24" · 24" x 36" · A4 (21 x 29.7 cm)

Designs available

Atelier Serif · Quiet Garamond · Studio Left · Gallery Rule · Midnight Serif · Editorial Left Serif · Modern Sans Calm · Letterpress Caps · Poster Condensed · Script Whisper · Manuscript Italic · Asymmetric Left · Minimal Unsigned · Charcoal Sans · Gallery Frame · Soft Serif Right · Statement Serif · Night Script · Tracked Caps Unsigned

Digital product. Colours may vary slightly between screens and printers. Frames and props are not included.