War then, is a relation - not between man and man but between state and state and individuals are enemies only accidentally not as men, nor even as citizens but as soldiers not as members of their country, but as its defenders

Our will is always for our own good, but we do not always see what that is; the people is never corrupted, but it is often deceived, and on such occasions only does it seem to will what is bad.

The majesty of the Scriptures strikes me with admiration, as the purity of the gospel has its influence on my heart.

Jewish authors would never have invented either that style nor that morality; and the Gospel has marks of truth so great, so striking, so utterly inimitable, that the invention of it would be more astonishing than the hero.

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.

One must choose between making a man or a citizen, for one cannot make both at the same time.

Social man lives constantly outside himself.