Innocence is ashamed of nothing.

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.

He who has the base necessities of life should pay nothing; taxation on him who has a surplus may, if need be; extend to everything beyond necessities.

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.

The man who meditates is a depraved animal.

Cities are the abyss of the human species.

The bigger a state becomes the more liberty diminishes.