Voltaire's Alphabet of Wit - Edited and Illustrated by Paul McPharlin

Sep 29, 2026

Voltaire's Alphabet of Wit is a curated collection of philosophical insights and witty observations originally authored by the renowned Enlightenment thinker, Voltaire. Edited and illustrated by Paul McPharlin and published by The Peter Pauper Press, this volume seeks to restore the author's original intention by distilling his sharp, aphoristic entries from the more expansive and later expanded Philosophical Dictionary. By stripping away extraneous additions, the text highlights the incisive nature of Voltaire's original writings, which first appeared as Questions on the Encyclopedia and Reason by Alphabet. This edition presents a refined selection of entries, aiming to provide readers with a pocket-sized repository of Voltaire's characteristic skepticism, irony, and intellectual rigor. The work serves as both a historical record of eighteenth-century critical thought and a testament to the enduring precision of Voltaire's literary voice. Through careful selection and editing, the book reclaims the immediacy and impact of the original rapier-like prose, offering a comprehensive look at the themes of reason, religion, and social inquiry that defined the philosopher's extensive career and lasting contribution to Western intellectual traditions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages72

Reading Time1 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

Background of the Collection

Original Philosophical Works

Editorial Approach to the Text

FAQs

What are the origins of the entries in Voltaire's Alphabet of Wit?

The entries originally appeared as Questions on the Encyclopedia and were later reprinted as Reason by Alphabet before being padded into the eight-volume Philosophical Dictionary.

Who is the editor of this specific volume?

This volume is edited and illustrated by Paul McPharlin.

What is the editorial goal of this collection?

The goal is to restore Voltaire's original intention by selecting entries from his more prolix and later-expanded writings, creating a concise, witty pocket volume.

Sep 29, 2026

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