Philosopher Quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
““It is reason which breeds pride and reflection which fortifies it; reason which turns man inward into himself; reason which separates him from everything which troubles or affects him. It is philosophy which isolates a man, and prompts him to say in secret at the sight of another suffering: 'Perish if you will; I am safe.' No longer can anything but dangers to society in general disturb the tranquil sleep of the philosopher or drag him from his bed. A fellow-man may with impunity be murdered under his window, for the philosopher has only to put his hands over his ears and argue a little with himself to prevent nature, which rebels inside him, from making him identify himself with the victim of the murder. The savage man entirely lacks this admirable talent, and for want of wisdom and reason he always responds recklessly to the first promptings of human feeling.””
About This Quote
Source Philosophical Treatise: Discourse on the Arts and Sciences, 1750
Reason can isolate individuals, leading to detachment from suffering and a false sense of safety, while lacking wisdom causes reckless emotional reactions.
In simple terms: Reason isolates; wisdom guides.
Key Takeaway
Balance reason with empathy.
Themes
philosophy
human nature
reason
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- academic discourse
- personal reflection
- mental health counseling
Key Concepts
existential isolation
ethical responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- Can reason ever fully protect us from suffering?
- How does wisdom temper emotional impulses?
A Different Perspective
May overgeneralize philosophers' emotional detachment.
![“He has the capacity to veer with every wind, or, stubbornly, to insert himself into some fantastically elaborated and irrational social institution only to perish with it. [For man is a] fickle, erratic, dangerous creature [whose] restless mind would try all paths, all horrors, all betrayals ……” quote by Loren Eiseley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/669/loren-eiseley-3848_illusions-delusions_he-has-the-capacity-to-veer-with-every-w_433496.jpg)
