Jean-Jacques Rousseau Quotes
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I have never thought, for my part, that man's freedom consists in his being able to do whatever he wills, but that he should not, by any human power, be forced to do what is against his will.
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Teach by doing whenever you can, and only fall back upon words when doing it is out of the question.
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It is believed that physiognomy is only a simple development of the features already marked out by nature. It is my opinion, however, that in addition to this development, the features come insensibly to be formed and assume their shape from the frequent and habitual expression of certain affections of the soul. These affections are marked on the countenance; nothing is more certain than this; and when they turn into habits, they must leave on it durable impressions.
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The strongest is never strong enough to be always the master, unless he transforms strength into right, and obedience into duty.
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I loved too sincerely, too completely, I venture to say, to be able to be happy easily.
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Fame is but the breath of people, and that often unwholesome.
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We cannot teach children the danger of telling lies to men without realising, on the man's part, the danger of telling lies to children. A single untruth on the part of the master will destroy the results of his education.
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Do you not know...that a child badly taught is farther from being wise than one not taught at all?
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Trust your heart rather than your head.
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For, as I think I have said, I can only meditate when I am walking. When I stop I cease to think; my mind only works with my legs.
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That man is truly free who desires what he is able to perform, and does what he desires.
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He who has the base necessities of life should pay nothing; taxation on him who has a surplus may, if need be; extend to everything beyond necessities.
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Equality, because without it there can be no liberty.
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I only see clearly what I remember.
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It has always pleased me to read while eating if I have no companion; it gives me the society I lack. I devour alternately a page and a mouthful; it is as though my book were dining with me.
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People who know little are usually great talkers, while men who know much say little. It is plain that an ignorant person thinks everything he does know important, and he tells it to everybody. But a well-educated man is not so ready to display his learning; he would have too much to say, and he sees that there is much more to be said, so he holds his peace.
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Men speak from knowledge, women from imagination.
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Why should we build our happiness on the opinons of others, when we can find it in our own hearts?
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The general will is always right.
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At length I recollected the thoughtless saying of a great princess, who, on being informed that the country people had no bread, replied, "Let them eat cake".
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To study men, we must look close by; to study man, we must learn to look afar; if we are to discover essential characteristics, we must first observe differences.
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Sacrifice life to truth.
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Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains.
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Our greatest evil flows from ourselves.