“I have never thought, for my part, that man’s freedom consists in his being able to do whatever he wills, but that he should not, by any human power, be forced to do what is against his will.”

If there were a nation of Gods, it would govern itself democratically. A government so perfect is not suited to men.

He who blushes is already guilty.

What good would it be to possess the whole universe if one were its only survivor?

Every artists wants to be applauded

I am not made like any of those I have seen. I venture to believe that I am not made like any of those who are in existence. If I am not better, at least I am different.

All my misfortunes come of having thought too well of my fellows.

If there were a nation of Gods, it would govern itself democratically. A government so perfect is not suited to men.

Those that are most slow in making a promise are the most faithful in the performance of it.

He who pretends to look on death without fear lies. All men are afraid of dying, this is the great law of sentient beings, without which the entire human species would soon be destroyed.

From this it follows that, the larger the State, the less the liberty.

Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.

To live is not merely to breathe; it is to act; it is to make use of our organs, senses, faculties – of all those parts of ourselves which give us the feeling of existence.

The first man, who, after enclosing a piece of ground, took it into his head to say, This is mine, and found people simple enough to believe him, was the true founder of civil society.

It is pity in which the state of nature takes the place of laws, morals and virtues, with the added advantage that no one there is tempted to disobey its gentle voice.

There is no evildoer who could not be made good for something.

My birth was my first misfortune.