"The ancients recommended us to sacrifice to the Graces, but Milton sacrificed to the Devil"

Voltaire's quote is a criticism of the poet John Milton, who wrote the legendary poem Paradise Lost. In the poem, Milton portrays Satan as a brave figure, and Voltaire is recommending that Milton's admiration for the Devil is misguided. Voltaire is contrasting Milton's appreciation for the Devil with the guidance of the ancients, who recommended that people sacrifice to the Graces, or the three goddesses of appeal, appeal, and creativity in Greek mythology. Voltaire is indicating that Milton's adoration for the Devil is a kind of idolatry, and that it is misdirected and improper. He is recommending that Milton ought to have followed the advice of the ancients and compromised to the Graces rather. Voltaire's quote is a criticism of Milton's portrayal of the Devil in Paradise Lost, and a pointer that affection for the Devil is misdirected and inappropriate.