In any case, frequent punishments are a sign of weakness or slackness in the government. There is no man so bad that he cannot be made good for something. No man should be put to death, even as an example, if he can be left to live without danger to society.

Base souls have no faith in great individuals.

The general will is always right.

Many men, seemingly impelled by fortune, hasten forward to meet misfortune half way.

I may not be better than other people, but at least I'm different.

Each member of the community gives himself to it at the instant of its constitution, just as he actually is, himself and all his forces, including all goods in his possession.

Frequent punishments are always a sign of weakness or laziness on the part of a government.