I have never thought, for my part, that man's freedom consists in his being able to do whatever he wills, but that he should not, by any human power, be forced to do what is against his will.

Take from the philosopher the pleasure of being heard and his desire for knowledge ceases.

The more humanity owes him, the more society denies him. Every door is shut against him, even when he has a right to its being opened: and if he ever obtains justice, it is with much greater difficulty than others obtain favors.

I have never believed that man's freedom consisted in doing what he wants, but rather in never doing what he does not want to do.

Civilization is a hopeless race to discover remedies for the evils it produces.

Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains.

I have never thought, for my part, that man's freedom consists in his being able to do whatever he wills, but that he should not, by any human power, be forced to do what is against his will.