1
The bounds of human possibility are not as confining as we think they are; they are made to seem to be tight by our weaknesses, our vices, our prejudices that confine them.JeanJacques Rousseau
2
Every man having been born free and master of himself, no one else may under any pretext whatever subject him without his consent. To assert that the son of a slave is born a slave is to assert that he is not born a man.JeanJacques Rousseau
3
The word ‘slavery’ and ‘right’ are contradictory, they cancel each other out. Whether as between one man and another, or between one man and a whole people, it would always be absurd to say: "I hereby make a covenant with you which is wholly at your expense and wholly to my advantage; I will respect it so long as I please and you shall respect it as long as I wish.JeanJacques Rousseau
4
If there were a nation of Gods, it would govern itself democratically. A government so perfect is not suited to men.JeanJacques Rousseau
5
What, then, is the government? An intermediary body established between the subjects and the sovereign for their mutual communication, a body charged with the execution of the laws and the maintenance of freedom, both civil and political.JeanJacques Rousseau
6
In any case, frequent punishments are a sign of weakness or slackness in the government. There is no man so bad that he cannot be made good for something. No man should be put to death, even as an example, if he can be left to live without danger to society.JeanJacques Rousseau
7
Happy am I, for every time I meditate on governments, I always find new reasons in my inquiries for loving my own country.JeanJacques Rousseau
8
Liberty may be gained, but can never be recovered." (Bk2:8)JeanJacques Rousseau
9
Our will is always for our own good, but we do not always see what that is; the people is never corrupted, but it is often deceived..." (Bk2:3)JeanJacques Rousseau
10
To renounce liberty is to renounce being a man, to surrender the rights of humanity and even its duties.JeanJacques Rousseau
11
To renounce freedom is to renounce one's humanity, one's rights as a man and equally one's duties.JeanJacques Rousseau
12
As soon as any man says of the affairs of the State "What does it matter to me?" the State may be given up for lost.JeanJacques Rousseau