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
men people perfect
If there were a people consisting of gods, they would be governed democratically. So perfect a government is not suitable to men.
country men perfect
At Genoa, the word Liberty may be read over the front of the prisons and on the chains of the galley-slaves. This application of the device is good and just. It is indeed only malefactors of all estates who prevent the citizen from being free. In the country in which all such men were in the galleys, the most perfect liberty would be enjoyed.
perfect appearance subjection
There is no subjection so perfect as that which keeps the appearance of freedom.
men perfect democracy
If there were a nation of Gods, it would govern itself democratically. A government so perfect is not suited to men.
perfection abstinence reason
Abstaining so as really to enjoy, is the epicurism, the very perfection, of reason.
men perfect inspire
Do to others as you would have others do to you, inspires all men with that other maxim of natural goodness a great deal less perfect, but perhaps more useful: Do good to yourself with as little prejudice as you can to others.
duty obedience strength strongest transforms unless
The strongest is never strong enough always to be master, unless he transforms strength into right, and obedience into duty
child endurance endure learn lesson
Endurance and to be able to endure is the first lesson a child should learn because it's the one they will most need to know.
life man order risk save
Every man has the right to risk his own life in order to save it.
body conscience passions voice
Conscience is the voice of the soul; the passions are the voice of the body
acquire free recovered remember
Free people, remember this maxim: We may acquire liberty, but it is never recovered if it is once lost.
believe likely longer people
Most people believe that the longer you let these things go, the more likely you are to have something go wrong.
american-journalist hate talk teach
I hate books; they only teach us to talk about what we don't know.
faithful integrity performance promise
The person who is slowest in making a promise is most faithful in its performance.