Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) was a Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer of the 18th century. His political philosophy influenced the French Revolution as well as the overall development of modern political, sociological, and educational thought. He argued that private property was the start of civilization, inequality, murders and wars.
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Our greatest evils flow from ourselves.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Topics: Evil
The happiest is he who suffers the least pain; the most miserable, he who enjoys the least pleasure.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Topics: Blessings
People who know little are usually great talkers, while men who know much say little.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Topics: Speeches (oratory), Speakers, Speaking, Wisdom, Greatness, People
The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless. — Not being able to enlarge the one, let us contract the other; for it is from their difference that all the evils arise which render us unhappy.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Topics: Imagination, Reality
It is not the criminal things that are hardest to confess, but the ridiculous and the shameful.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Topics: Confession, Honesty
Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Topics: Patience
Nature never deceives us; it is we who deceive ourselves.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Topics: Nature, Truth
Every person has a right to risk their own life for the preservation of it.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau
The thirst after happiness is never extinguished in the heart of a man.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Topics: Heart, Goals, Happiness
Happiness: A good bank account, a good cook, and a good digestion.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Yes, if the life and death of Socrates are those of a wise man, the life and death of Jesus are those of a god.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Cities are the abyss of the human species.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau
The mind grows narrow in proportion as the soul grows corrupt.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Topics: Mind
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