It is a mania shared by philosophers of all ages to deny what exists and to explain what does not exist.

Quote by Jean Jacques Rousseau

Topics: Jean Jacques Rousseau Quotes

General and abstract ideas are the source of the greatest errors of mankind.

General and abstract ideas are the source of the greatest errors of mankind.

Ordinary readers, forgive my paradoxes: one must make them when one reflects; and whatever you...

Ordinary readers, forgive my paradoxes: one must make them when one reflects; and whatever you...

An honest man nearly always thinks justly.

An honest man nearly always thinks justly.

Conscience is the voice of the soul; the passions are the voice of the body

Conscience is the voice of the soul; the passions are the voice of the body

Childhood is the sleep of reason.C

Childhood is the sleep of reason.C

How many famous and high-spirited heroes have lived a day too long?

How many famous and high-spirited heroes have lived a day too long?

No man has any natural authority over his fellow men.

No man has any natural authority over his fellow men.

We do not know what is really good or bad fortune.

We do not know what is really good or bad fortune.

Force does not constitute right... obedience is due only to legitimate powers.

Force does not constitute right... obedience is due only to legitimate powers.

Virtue is a state of war, and to live in it we have always to...

Virtue is a state of war, and to live in it we have always to...

It is too difficult to think nobly when one thinks only of earning a living.

It is too difficult to think nobly when one thinks only of earning a living.

I have always said and felt that true enjoyment can not be described.

I have always said and felt that true enjoyment can not be described.

The training of children is a profession, where we must know how to waste time...

The training of children is a profession, where we must know how to waste time...

I prefer liberty with danger than peace with slavery

I prefer liberty with danger than peace with slavery

I hate books; they only teach us to talk about what we don't know.

I hate books; they only teach us to talk about what we don't know.

We should not teach children the sciences; but give them a taste for them.

We should not teach children the sciences; but give them a taste for them.

All of my misfortunes come from having thought too well of my fellows.

All of my misfortunes come from having thought too well of my fellows.

Do I dare set forth here the most important, the most useful rule of all...

Do I dare set forth here the most important, the most useful rule of all...

I long remained a child, and I am still one in many respects.

I long remained a child, and I am still one in many respects.

Religious persecutors are not believers, they are rascals.

Religious persecutors are not believers, they are rascals.