They have discovered in their fine politics the art of causing those to
die of hunger who, by cultivating the earth, give the means of life to
others.--_Sottisier._
Society has been too long like a game of cards, where the rogues cheat
the dupes, while sensible people dare not warn the losers that they are
deceived.--_Questions sur les Miracles_.
They have only inculcated belief in absurdities to men in order to
subdue them.--_Ibid._
The most tolerable of all governments is doubtless the republican, since
that approaches the nearest towards natural equality.--_Idees
Republicaines._
A Republican is ever more attached to his country than a subject to his,
for the same reason that one loves better his own possessions than those
of a master.--_Pensees sur le Gouvernement._
Give too much power to anybody and be sure they will abuse it. Were the
monks of La Trappe spread throughout the world, let them confess
princesses, educate youth, preach and write, and in about ten years they
would be similar to the Jesuits, and it would be necessary to repress
them.--_Mel. Balance Egale_.
What are politics beyond the art of lying a propos?--_Contant
D'Orville_.
"Reasons of State" is a phrase invented to serve as excuse for
tyrants.--_Commentaire sur le traite des Delits._
The best government is that where there are the fewest useless
men.--Dial. 4.
Man is born free. The best government is that which most preserves to
each mortal this gift of nature.--_Histoire de Russie_.
To be free, to have only equals, is the true life, the natural life of
man; all other is an unworthy artifice, a poor comedy, where one plays
the role of master, the other of slave, this one a parasite, and that
other a pander.--_Dial. 24._
Why is liberty so rare? Because it is the best possession.--_Dict.
Phil_. ("Venise").
Those who say that all men are equal, say truth if they mean that men
have an equal right to liberty, to the property of their own goods, and
the protection of the laws. They are much deceived if they think that
men should be equal in their employments, since they are not so by their
faculties.--_Essai sur les Moeurs_, i.
Despotism is the punishment of the bad conduct of men. If a community is
mastered by one man or by several, it is plainly because it has not the
courage and ability necessary for self-government.--_Idees
Republic-aines_, 1765.
I do not give myself up to my fellow-citizens without reserve. I do not
give them the power to kill or to rob me by plurality of votes. I submit
to help them, and to be aided, to do justice, and to receive it. No
other agreement.--_Notes on Rousseau's "Social Contract"_