Final answer:
The quote "I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to death your right to say it" is commonly attributed to Voltaire but was actually penned by Evelyn Beatrice Hall as a summary of Voltaire's beliefs on freedom of speech.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to death your right to say it" is often attributed to the French philosopher Voltaire. However, this expression does not appear in Voltaire's writings. Instead, it was written by Evelyn Beatrice Hall, who used the phrase to summarize Voltaire's beliefs on freedom of speech in her 1906 biography of the philosopher. Therefore, while Voltaire was a strong advocate for freedom of speech and renowned for his criticism of the Catholic Church and French monarchy, this particular quote was not directly said by him, but rather encapsulates the spirit of his philosophy.