Supreme happiness consists in self-content; that we may gain this self-content, we are placed upon this earth and endowed with freedom.

I also realized that the philosophers, far from ridding me of my vain doubts, only multiplied the doubts that tormented me and failed to remove any one of them. So I chose another guide and said, Let me follow the Inner Light; it will not lead me so far astray as others have done, or if it does it will be my own fault, and I shall not go so far wrong if I follow my own illusions as if I trusted to their deceits.

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.

To abstain that we may enjoy is the epicurianism of reason.

One may live tranquilly in a dungeon; but does life consist in living quietly?

Do I dare set forth here the most important, the most useful rule of all education? It is not to save time, but to squander it.

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