“Generally we obtain very surely and very speedily what we are not too anxious to obtain.”
Filter quotes by topic
Famous Jean-Jacques Rousseau Quotes
“That which renders life burdensome to us generally arises from the abuse of it.”
“The want of occupation is no less the plague of society than of solitude.”
“Interest is the spur of the people, but glory that of great souls.”
“Childhood is the sleep of reason. [Fr., L'enfance est le sommeil de la raison.]”
Source: An Inquiry into the Nature of the Social Contract; or principles of political right. Translated from the French
Source: Emilius and Sophia: Or, A New System of Education
“To try to conceal our own heart is a bad means to read that of others.”
“The man is best served who has no occasion to put the hands of others at the end of his own arms.”
“Many men, seemingly impelled by fortune, hasten forward to meet misfortune half way.”
“Our greatest misfortunes come to us from ourselves.”
Source: Emile or Concerning Education
“The passions are the voice of the body.”
Source: Emile
“In the North the first words are, Help me; in the South, Love me.”
“One may live tranquilly in a dungeon; but does life consist in living quietly?”
Source: The Confessions of J.J. Rousseau: With The Reveries of the Solitary Walker
“The world is woman's book. [Fr., Le monde est le livre des femmes.]”