Astronomy was born of superstition; eloquence of ambition, hatred, falsehood, and flattery; geometry of avarice; physics of an idle curiosity; and even moral philosophy of human pride. Thus the arts and sciences owe their birth to our vices. — Jean-Baptiste Rousseau Copy Share Image
The Catholic must adopt the decision handed down to him; the Protestant must learn to decide for himself. — Jean-Baptiste Rousseau Copy Share Image
The right of conquest has no foundation other than the right of the strongest. — Jean-Baptiste Rousseau Copy Share Image
The vine that has been made to bear fruit in the spring, withers and dies before autumn. — Jean-Baptiste Rousseau Copy Share Image
They must know but little of mankind who can imagine that, after they have been once seduced by luxury, they can ever renounce it. — Jean-Baptiste Rousseau Copy Share Image
Every artist loves applause. The praise of his contemporaries is the most valuable part of his recompense. — Jean-Baptiste Rousseau Copy Share Image
Each State can have for enemies only other States, and not men; for between things disparate in nature there can be no real relation. — Jean-Baptiste Rousseau Copy Share Image
Do we wish men to be virtuous? Then let us begin by making them love their country. — Jean-Baptiste Rousseau Copy Share Image
To reign by opinion, begin by trampling it under your feet. — Jean-Baptiste Rousseau Copy Share Image
If you have but a single ruler, you lie at the discretion of a master who has no reason to love you: and if… — Jean-Baptiste Rousseau Copy Share Image
It should be remembered that the foundation of the social contract is property; and its first condition, that every one should be maintained in… — Jean-Baptiste Rousseau Copy Share Image
The less reasonable a cult is, the more men seek to establish it by force. — Jean-Baptiste Rousseau Copy Share Image
The man who has lived the longest is not he who has spent the greatest number of years, but he who has had the… — Jean-Baptiste Rousseau Copy Share Image
