“Nature never deceives us; it is always we who deceive ourselves.”

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.

I perceive God everywhere in His works. I sense Him in me; I see Him all around me.

The people of England regards itself as free; but it is grossly mistaken; it is free only during the election of members of parliament. As soon as they are elected, slavery overtakes it, and it is nothing.

People who know little are usually great talkers, while men who know much say little.

If we assume man has been corrupted by an artificial civilization, what is the natural state? the state of nature from which he has been removed? imagine, wandering up and down the forest without industry, without speech, and without home.

Truth is an homage that the good man pays to his own dignity.

It is too difficult to think nobly when one thinks only of earning a living.

The most mighty of nature’s laws is this, that out of Death she brings Life.

If you’re short, don’t wear extremely high heels. After a certain age, you shouldn’t wear little girls’ clothes. That’s going against your nature.

As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts.

Harbour Island in the Bahamas is beautiful, with turquoise water and pink sand.

Weep not for me. Rather let your tears flow for the sorrows of the multitude. My work is done. Like a ripe fruit I admit the gathering. Death has no terrors for it is a wise law of nature. I am ready whenever the summons may come.

Joy all creatures drink At nature’s bosoms.

I long for the day my sisters will rise, and occupy the sphere to which they are called by their high nature and destiny.

No, no! I do nature injustice. She gave us inventive faculty, and set us naked, and helpless on the shore of this great ocean,–the world; swim those who can, the heavy may go to the bottom.