Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Home»
Jean Jacques Rousseau Quotes

98 Top Quotes By Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Author Of The Social Contract

Famous As: Philosopher, Writer, & Composer Whose Political Philosophy Influenced the Progress of the Age of Enlightenment

Born On: 1712

Died On: 1778

Born In: Geneva, Switzerland

Died At Age: 66

Jean Jacques Rousseau was a philosopher, author, political theorist and music composer from the then Republic of Geneva, who lived in the 18th century and is credited for inspiring some of the most significant events of the time. He wrote in the French language and his works on political philosophy were one of the biggest influences on the ‘Enlightenment’ that ushered in a cultural revolution in the mainland Europe. One of his most celebrated works is ‘Emile, or On Education’ which dealt with the subject of education as the name suggests. However, it is in the areas of sociology and politics that he made his most remarkable contributions. He laid down his thoughts on those subjects in the books ‘The Social Contract’ and ‘Discourse on Inequality’. Rousseau was also a forceful orator, who could articulate his thoughts clearly and logically and emerged as one of the most influential voices during the period of the French Revolution. It is in fact a well-known fact that his thoughts had a profound effect on the rebellion that took place in 1789. Needless to say, Rousseau’s work, thoughts, theories and speeches left behind a veritable treat as far as quotes are concerned and here are the most profound ones.

Listed In:

Philosophers

Intellectuals & Academics

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

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

I prefer liberty with danger than peace with slavery.

I prefer liberty with danger than peace with slavery.
Peace I
Jean Jacques Rousseau

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

Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.
Jean Jacques Rousseau

The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless.

The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless.
Jean Jacques Rousseau

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.

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.
Like Believe I
Jean Jacques Rousseau

I would rather be a man of paradoxes than a man of prejudices.

I would rather be a man of paradoxes than a man of prejudices.
I
Jean Jacques Rousseau

What wisdom can you find greater than kindness.

What wisdom can you find greater than kindness.
You
Jean Jacques Rousseau

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

It is too difficult to think nobly when one thinks only of earning a living.
Think Living
Jean Jacques Rousseau

To be sane in a world of madman is in itself madness.

To be sane in a world of madman is in itself madness.
Jean Jacques Rousseau

Every person has a right to risk their own life for the preservation of it.

Every person has a right to risk their own life for the preservation of it.
Life
Jean Jacques Rousseau

To write a good love letter, you ought to begin without knowing what you mean to say, and to finish without knowing what you have written.

To write a good love letter, you ought to begin without knowing what you mean to say, and to finish without knowing what you have written.
You Love
Jean Jacques Rousseau

Or, rather, let us be more simple and less vain.

Or, rather, let us be more simple and less vain.
Jean Jacques Rousseau

Why should we build our happiness on the opinons of others, when we can find it in our own hearts?

Why should we build our happiness on the opinons of others, when we can find it in our own hearts?
Happiness
Jean Jacques Rousseau

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

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

Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains. Those who think themselves the masters of others are indeed greater slaves than they.

Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains. Those who think themselves the masters of others are indeed greater slaves than they.
Think
Jean Jacques Rousseau

Civilization is a hopeless race to discover remedies for the evils it produces.

Civilization is a hopeless race to discover remedies for the evils it produces.
Jean Jacques Rousseau

Everything is good as it comes from the hands of the Maker of the world, but degenerates once it gets into the hands of man

Everything is good as it comes from the hands of the Maker of the world, but degenerates once it gets into the hands of man
Jean Jacques Rousseau

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

All my misfortunes come of having thought too well of my fellows.
Jean Jacques Rousseau

...in respect of riches, no citizen shall ever be wealthy enough to buy another, and none poor enough to be forced to sell himself.

...in respect of riches, no citizen shall ever be wealthy enough to buy another, and none poor enough to be forced to sell himself.
Jean Jacques Rousseau

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

I perceive God everywhere in His works. I sense Him in me; I see Him all around me.
Me God I
Jean Jacques Rousseau

Trust your heart rather than your head.
Heart
Jean Jacques Rousseau

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

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

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.

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.
Never Will Power I
Jean Jacques Rousseau

The truth brings no man a fortune.
Jean Jacques Rousseau

There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend.

There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend.
Jean Jacques Rousseau

Love, known to the person by whom it is inspired, becomes more bearable.

Love, known to the person by whom it is inspired, becomes more bearable.
Love
Jean Jacques Rousseau

There are times when I am so unlike myself that I might be taken for someone else of an entirely opposite character.

There are times when I am so unlike myself that I might be taken for someone else of an entirely opposite character.
Character I
Jean Jacques Rousseau