Final answer:
Voltaire meant that when someone has a lot of power, they also have a lot of responsibility. He emphasized the idea that those who hold positions of power have a duty to use that power wisely and ethically. Voltaire's statement reflects the principles of the Enlightenment period and the belief in reason, freedom, and justice.
Step-by-step explanation:
Voltaire meant that when someone has a lot of power, they also have a lot of responsibility. In his statement, "With great power comes great responsibility," Voltaire is emphasizing the idea that those who hold positions of power have a duty to use that power wisely and ethically.
Voltaire was a philosopher during the Enlightenment period, which was a time when thinkers believed in the power of reason and individual freedom. He advocated for religious toleration, freedom of speech, and the separation of powers in government. By saying that great power comes with great responsibility, Voltaire was expressing the idea that those in power should use their authority for the benefit of society and uphold principles of justice and fairness.