--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [T]he man who meditates is a depraved…" description: "\"“[T]he man who meditates is a depraved animal.”\" — Jean-Jacques Rousseau" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/470/jean-jacques-rousseau-418_depraved_t-he-man-who-meditates-is-a-depraved-ani_1786032.png" --- # \[T\]he man who meditates is a depraved animal. ![“[T]he man who meditates is a depraved animal.” quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/470/jean-jacques-rousseau-418_depraved_t-he-man-who-meditates-is-a-depraved-ani_1786032.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/470/jean-jacques-rousseau-418_depraved_t-he-man-who-meditates-is-a-depraved-ani_1786032.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/470/jean-jacques-rousseau-418_depraved_t-he-man-who-meditates-is-a-depraved-ani_1786032.png) > ““\[T\]he man who meditates is a depraved animal.”” [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Rousseau criticizes meditation as a degenerate practice that reduces humanity to animalistic instincts. **In simple terms:** He sees meditation as degrading, making humans animal‑like. Key Takeaway Question the value of meditation. Themes critique human nature spiritual practice Mood skeptical critical Type philosophical quote critical observation When to use this quote - religious practice - mental health - personal development - spiritual seeking Key Concepts philosophy morality self‑reflection Questions to Reflect On - Is meditation inherently harmful? - What alternatives foster self‑knowledge? A Different Perspective Many find meditation beneficial for mental health. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Reflection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reflection/) ## Related quotes > [The man who meditates is a depraved animal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/the-man-who-meditates-is-a-depraved-animal/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [In order to master the unruly torrent of life the learned man meditates, the poet quivers, and the political hero erects the fortress of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-ortega-y-gasset/in-order-to-master-the-unruly-torrent-of-life-the-learned-man/) [Jose Ortega y Gasset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-ortega-y-gasset/) > [The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-more-man-meditates-upon-good-thoughts-the-better-will-be-his/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [ For whoever meditates a crime is guilty of the deed. \[Lat., Nam scelus intra se tacitum qui cogitat ullum, Facti crimen habet.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/for-whoever-meditates-a-crime-is-guilty-of-the-deed-lat-nam-scelus/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Anyone who meditates for a period of time will gradually become more sensitized to all of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/anyone-who-meditates-for-a-period-of-time-will-gradually-become-more/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [When you can successfully stop thought for longer periods of time, you do move into other worlds. This can also happen in the very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/when-you-can-successfully-stop-thought-for-longer-periods-of-time-you/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“Whoso meditates on the Omniscient, the Ancient, more minute than the atom, yet the Ruler and Upholder of all, Unimaginable, Brilliant like the Sun,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shri-purohit-swami/whoso-meditates-on-the-omniscient-the-ancient-more-minute-than-the/) Shri Purohit Swami > [I meditate, and when I do, Prince Harry appears in my subconscious and meditates with me. It's a little strange but I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-cashore/i-meditate-and-when-i-do-prince-harry-appears-in-my-subconscious-and/) [Kristin Cashore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-cashore/) > [For whoever meditates a crime is guilty of the deed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/for-whoever-meditates-a-crime-is-guilty-of-the-deed/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Be concerned with the welfare of others without any sense of self-importance that one is better because one meditates or leads a certain type…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/be-concerned-with-the-welfare-of-others-without-any-sense-of-self/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [It is not the bee's touching of the flower that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time upon the flower that draws out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-brooks/it-is-not-the-bee-s-touching-of-the-flower-that-gathers-honey-but-her/) [Thomas Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-brooks/) > [The soul who meditates on the Self is content to serve the Self and rests satisfied within the Self; there remains nothing more for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhagavad-gita/the-soul-who-meditates-on-the-self-is-content-to-serve-the-self-and/) [Bhagavad Gita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhagavad-gita/) > [I am a liberated teacher. 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