"The first man who, having fenced in a piece of land, said 'This is mine,' and found people naive enough to believe him, was the true founder of civil society. From how many crimes, wars, and murders, …"

"If there is any state in the world where a man can enjoy the full exercise of his faculties, it is the one where he is least dependent on others."

"All my misfortunes come from my having loved too much."

"The most useful and honorable science is that of man; the most useful book, the one that makes us know ourselves."

"Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. One thinks himself the master of others, and still remains a greater slave than they."