A THREAD on timeless thought provoking ideas by Rousseau:
1/
Let him not be taught science, let him discover it.
If ever you substitute authority for reason he will cease to reason; he will be a mere plaything of other people's thoughts.
1/
Let him not be taught science, let him discover it.
If ever you substitute authority for reason he will cease to reason; he will be a mere plaything of other people's thoughts.
2/
It is difficult for an education in which the heart is involved to remain forever lost.
It is difficult for an education in which the heart is involved to remain forever lost.
3/
To be driven by our appetites alone is slavery, while to obey a law that we have imposed on ourselves is freedom.
To be driven by our appetites alone is slavery, while to obey a law that we have imposed on ourselves is freedom.
4/
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.
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.
5/
Real wisdom is not the knowledge of everything, but the knowledge of which things in life are necessary, which are less necessary, and which are completely unnecessary to know.
Among the most necessary knowledge is the knowledge of how to live well, that is, how to...
Real wisdom is not the knowledge of everything, but the knowledge of which things in life are necessary, which are less necessary, and which are completely unnecessary to know.
Among the most necessary knowledge is the knowledge of how to live well, that is, how to...
...produce the least possible evil and the greatest goodness in one’s life.
At present, people study useless sciences, but forget to study this, the most important knowledge.
At present, people study useless sciences, but forget to study this, the most important knowledge.
6/
Those whom nature destined to make her disciples have no need of teachers. Bacon, Descartes, Newton — these tutors of the human race had no need of tutors themselves, & what guides could have led them to those places where their vast genius carried them?
If it's necessary..
Those whom nature destined to make her disciples have no need of teachers. Bacon, Descartes, Newton — these tutors of the human race had no need of tutors themselves, & what guides could have led them to those places where their vast genius carried them?
If it's necessary..
to permit some men to devote themselves to the study of sciences & arts, that should be only for those who feel the power to walk alone in those men's footsteps & to move beyond them.
It is the task of this small number of people to raise monuments to the glory of human mind.
It is the task of this small number of people to raise monuments to the glory of human mind.
7/
Nature made me happy and good, and if I am otherwise, it is society's fault.
Nature made me happy and good, and if I am otherwise, it is society's fault.
8/
I perceive God everywhere in His works. I sense Him in me; I see Him all around me.
I perceive God everywhere in His works. I sense Him in me; I see Him all around me.
9/
The "sociable" man, always outside himself, is capable of living only in the opinions of others and, so to speak, derives the sentiment of his own existence solely from their judgment.
The "sociable" man, always outside himself, is capable of living only in the opinions of others and, so to speak, derives the sentiment of his own existence solely from their judgment.
10/
All wickedness comes from weakness. The child is wicked only because he is weak.
Make him strong; he will be good. He who could do everything would never do harm.
All wickedness comes from weakness. The child is wicked only because he is weak.
Make him strong; he will be good. He who could do everything would never do harm.
11/
Childhood has its own way of seeing, thinking, and feeling, and nothing is more foolish than to try to substitute ours for theirs.
Childhood has its own way of seeing, thinking, and feeling, and nothing is more foolish than to try to substitute ours for theirs.
12/
I would rather be a man of paradoxes than a man of prejudices.
I would rather be a man of paradoxes than a man of prejudices.
13/
Once you teach people to say what they do not understand, it is easy enough to get them to say anything you like.
Once you teach people to say what they do not understand, it is easy enough to get them to say anything you like.
14/
Liberty is like those solid and tasty foods or those full-bodied wines which are appropriate for nourishing and strengthening robust constitutions that are used to them, but which overpower, ruin and intoxicate the weak and delicate who are not suited for them.
Liberty is like those solid and tasty foods or those full-bodied wines which are appropriate for nourishing and strengthening robust constitutions that are used to them, but which overpower, ruin and intoxicate the weak and delicate who are not suited for them.
15/
The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless.
The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless.
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