Jean Jacques Rousseau Quotes

As soon as any man says of the affairs of the State "What does it matter to me?" the State may be given up for lost.

Happiness: a good bank account, a good cook and a good digestion.

He who is slowest in making a promise is most faithful in its performance.

Never exceed your rights, and they will soon become unlimited.

To renounce liberty is to renounce being a man, to surrender the rights of humanity and even its duties. For he who renounces everything no indemnity is possible. Such a renunciation is incompatible with man's nature; to remove all liberty from his will is to remove all morality from his acts.

Your first appearance, he said to me, is the gauge by which you will be measured; try to manage that you may go beyond yourself in after times, but beware of ever doing less.

The happiest is the person who suffers the least pain; the most miserable who enjoys the least pleasure.

Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains.

The strongest is never strong enough to be always the master, unless he transforms strength into right, and obedience into duty.