Quotes by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

About Jean-Jacques Rousseau:

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a philosopher, writer, and composer of the 18th century. His political philosophy influenced the Enlightenment in France and across Europe, as well as aspects of the French Revolution and the overall development of modern political and educational thought.
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It is unnatural for a majority to rule, for a majority can seldom be organized and united for specific action, and a minority can.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Heroes are not known by the loftiness of their carriage; the greatest braggarts are generally the merest cowards.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Childhood is the sleep of reason.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

The body politic, as well as the human body, begins to die as soon as it is born, and carries itself the causes of its destruction.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Remorse sleeps during prosperity but awakes bitter consciousness during adversity.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

I may be no better, but at least I am different.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Take the course opposite to custom and you will almost always do well.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

I hate books; they only teach us to talk about things we know nothing about.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

It is a mania shared by philosophers of all ages to deny what exists and to explain what does not exist.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

I undertake the same project as Montaigne, but with an aim contrary to his own: for he wrote his Essays only for others, and I write my reveries only for myself.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

When something an affliction happens to you, you either let it defeat you, or you defeat it.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Most nations, as well as people are impossible only in their youth; they become incorrigible as they grow older.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Our greatest evils flow from ourselves.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Insults are the arguments employed by those who are in the wrong.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

To endure is the first thing that a child ought to learn, and that which he will have the most need to know.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

The English are predisposed to pride, the French to vanity.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

We pity in others only the those evils which we ourselves have experienced.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Author Bio

  • NameJean-Jacques Rousseau
  • DescriptionGenevan philosopher
  • BornJune 28, 1712
  • DiedJuly 2, 1778
  • CountryFrance; Switzerland
  • ProfessionPhilosopher; Botanist; Composer; Choreographer; Writer; Musicologist; Literary; Musician; Novelist; Autobiographer; Music Theorist