Rousseau.—Although this politician, the paramount…
““Rousseau.—Although this politician, the paramount authority of the Democrats, makes the social edifice rest upon the general will, no one has so completely admitted the hypothesis of the entire passiveness of human nature in the presence of the lawgiver:— "If””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote critiques the idea that people are wholly passive under law, insisting that human nature retains agency despite authority.
In simple terms: People aren't completely passive under law.
Key Takeaway
Recognize personal agency despite authority.
Themes
politics
human nature
authority
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legal theory
- citizen engagement
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
social contract
passivity
will
Questions to Reflect On
- How does authority affect personal agency?
- Can law ever be truly neutral?
A Different Perspective
Assumes a uniform passivity that may not hold universally.