Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Jean-Jacques Rousseauwas a Francophone Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer of the 18th century. His political philosophy influenced the Enlightenment in France and across Europe, as well as aspects of the French Revolution and the overall development of modern political and educational thought...
NationalityFrench
ProfessionPhilosopher
Date of Birth28 June 1712
CityGeneva, Switzerland
CountryFrance
heart mean trying
To try to conceal our own heart is a bad means to read that of others.
men way half
Many men, seemingly impelled by fortune, hasten forward to meet misfortune half way.
progress periods retrograde
There is a period of life when we go back as we advance. [Fr., Il est un terme de la vie au-dela duquel en retrograde en avancant.]
believe soul doubt
Not all the subtilties of metaphysics can make me doubt a moment of the immortality of the soul, and of a beneficent Providence. I feel it, I believe it, I desire it, I hope it, and will defend it to my last breath.
twins anticipation born
Anticipation and Hope are born twins.
sleep childhood reason
Childhood is the sleep of reason. [Fr., L'enfance est le sommeil de la raison.]
selfishness firsts helping
In the North the first words are, Help me; in the South, Love me.
success dancing singing
Singing and dancing alone will not advance one in the world. [Fr., Qui bien chante et bien danse fait un metier qui peu avance.]
adversity sleep wake-up
Remorse goes to sleep during a prosperous period and wakes up in adversity. [Fr., Le remords s'endort durant un destin prospere et s'aigrit dans l'adversite.]
love-is self hands
Self-love is an instrument useful but dangerous; it often wounds the hand which makes use of it, and seldom does good without doing harm.
courage criminals ridiculous
It is not our criminal actions that require courage to confess, but those which are ridiculous and foolish.
thinking europe lasts
I think it impossible that the great monarchies of Europe can last much longer.
doubt church revolution
I had been brought up in a church which decides everything and permits no doubts, so that having rejected one article of faith I was forced to reject the rest.
perfect appearance subjection
There is no subjection so perfect as that which keeps the appearance of freedom.