The problem is to find a form of association which will defend and protect with the whole common force the person and goods of each associate, and in which each, while uniting himself with all, may still obey himself alone, and remain as free as before.

Everything we do not have at our birth and which we need when we are grown is given to us by education.

Peter had a genius for imitation; but he lacked true genius, which is creative and makes all from nothing.

Generally we obtain very surely and very speedily what we are not too anxious to obtain.

Presence of mind, penetration, fine observation, are the sciences of women; ability to avail themselves of these is their talent.

Beware of listening to this impostor; you are undone if you once forget that the fruits of the earth belong to us all, and the earth itself to nobody.

Teach by doing whenever you can, and only fall back upon words when doing it is out of the question.