It is to law alone that men owe justice and liberty. It is this salutary organ, of the will of all which establishes in civil rights the natural equality between men. It is this celestial voice which dictates to each citizen the precepts of public reason, and teaches him to act according to the rules of his own judgment and not to behave inconsistently with himself. It is with this voice alone that political leaders should speak when. they command.

As soon as any man says of the affairs of the State "What does it matter to me?" the State may be given up for lost.

Whoever blushes is already guilty; true innocence is ashamed of nothing.

The visible order of the universe proclaims a supreme intelligence.

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

Whoever refuses to obey the general will will be forced to do so by the entire body; this means merely that he will be forced to be free.

What good would it be to possess the whole universe if one were its only survivor?