Discussion 100 quotes from Jean-Jacques Rousseau

[Sovereign]

On Human Nature and Society​

1. "Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains." (The Social Contract)
2. "Nature never deceives us; it is we who deceive ourselves." (Emile)
3. "Man’s first law is to provide for his own preservation." (Discourse on Inequality)
4. "The more civilized man becomes, the more he loses his happiness."
5. "The greatest evils which oppress men come from men." (The Social Contract)
6. "The origin of all inequality is found in the institution of property." (Discourse on Inequality)
7. "The fruits of the earth belong to us all, and the earth itself to nobody." (Discourse on Inequality)
8. "Man was born to be free, and he is everywhere in chains."
9. "Society corrupts the individual by fostering unnatural desires." (Emile)
10. "The strongest is never strong enough to be always the master unless he transforms strength into right." (The Social Contract)

On Education and Learning​

1. "Plants are shaped by cultivation, and men by education." (Emile)
2. "Education is the foundation of all virtue."
3. "Childhood has its own ways of seeing, thinking, and feeling." (Emile)
4. "We are born sensitive and drawn to love, but education twists these instincts."
5. "Teach by doing, not by talking."
6. "A child is not a miniature adult."
7. "The mind grows strong through exercise."
8. "The most important rule of education is not to save time, but to waste it wisely."
9. "The goal of education should be to prepare individuals for independence."
10. "Let the child learn by experience rather than instruction."

On Freedom and Liberty​

1. "Freedom is the power to choose our own chains."
2. "The right to vote is the most sacred right of citizenship."
3. "To renounce freedom is to renounce being a man." (The Social Contract)
4. "True freedom is obedience to self-imposed law."
5. "Liberty is not a means to a higher political end; it is itself the highest political end."
6. "The greatest evils are not committed in the name of freedom but in its absence."
7. "Without freedom, man is nothing."
8. "The people, when properly informed, are always just." (The Social Contract)
9. "Liberty is the fundamental right of all human beings."
10. "He who is free is not led by fear but by reason."

On Morality and Virtue​

1. "Virtue is a state of war, and to live in it we have always to combat with ourselves."
2. "True happiness is found in living a virtuous life."
3. "The conscience is the most enlightened of all philosophers." (Emile)
4. "To do good is to be truly great."
5. "Justice is the bond of all society." (The Social Contract)
6. "Morality is doing what is right, not what is profitable."
7. "True virtue is about aligning with natural laws."
8. "The good man is one who obeys his conscience."
9. "A life of virtue is the only life worth living."
10. "There is no greater wisdom than to act rightly."

On Love and Relationships​

1. "To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage."
2. "Love is the most natural and noble of all human emotions."
3. "Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’"
4. "Marriage should be a partnership of equals."
5. "True love does not enslave but liberates."
6. "Love is the bond that holds society together."
7. "A man who loves his wife and children is a good man."
8. "To be loved, one must be lovable."
9. "Happiness comes from loving others more than oneself."
10. "Jealousy destroys the very love it seeks to protect."

On Religion and Spirituality​

1. "I feel God in everything around me."
2. "Faith must arise from the heart, not from coercion."
3. "True religion inspires love and virtue."
4. "The beauty of creation is evidence of the divine."
5. "The first priest was the first deceiver." (Discourse on Inequality)
6. "Religion should be a source of unity, not division."
7. "The essence of religion is morality, not dogma."
8. "God has written his moral code in our hearts."
9. "A pure heart is the truest temple of God."
10. "Religion without virtue is meaningless."

On Politics and Governance​

1. "The general will is always in the right." (The Social Contract)
2. "Government is the servant of the people, not their master."
3. "No man has any natural authority over his fellow man." (The Social Contract)
4. "A legitimate government derives its power from the consent of the governed."
5. "The state is strongest when it reflects the will of the people."
6. "True democracy is rare and requires great virtue among its citizens."
7. "Laws must protect freedom and equality."
8. "A ruler should serve the common good, not his own interests."
9. "The best form of government is one that governs least."
10. "Corruption is the greatest enemy of liberty."

On Nature and Simplicity​

1. "The closer we are to nature, the happier we are."
2. "Simplicity is the key to true happiness."
3. "Nature is the ultimate guide to truth and wisdom."
4. "The beauty of the natural world reflects the beauty of the soul."
5. "Man was happiest when he lived simply, in harmony with nature."
6. "The further man moves from nature, the more miserable he becomes."
7. "Nature is the teacher of all things."
8. "The simplest life is often the most fulfilling."
9. "Let us return to nature to find peace."
10. "Nature provides everything we need to live well."

On Happiness and Fulfillment​

1. "Happiness consists in wanting what you have."
2. "Contentment is the greatest wealth."
3. "The secret of happiness is freedom, and the secret of freedom is courage."
4. "A life well-lived is a life in harmony with one’s principles."
5. "True happiness comes from within, not from external possessions."
6. "The most fulfilling life is one of simplicity and virtue."
7. "Gratitude is the foundation of happiness."
8. "The happiest man is he who is content with little."
9. "Joy is found in the present, not in regrets of the past or fears of the future."
10. "The pursuit of virtue is the path to true happiness."

On Wisdom and Self-Knowledge​

1. "The most important knowledge is knowledge of oneself."
2. "Wisdom begins with wonder."
3. "To know oneself is the ultimate wisdom."
4. "The wise man seeks not wealth but contentment."
5. "The journey of self-discovery is the greatest adventure of all."
6. "Self-mastery is the essence of true freedom."
7. "True wisdom is found in simplicity."
8. "The unexamined life is not worth living."
9. "The greatest strength is understanding one’s own weakness."
10. "A wise man learns from every experience."