It is a mania shared by philosophers of all ages to deny what exists and to explain what does not exist.

I undertake the same project as Montaigne, but with an aim contrary to his own: for he wrote his Essays only for others, and I write my reveries only for myself.

God made me and broke the mold.

We are born, so to speak, twice over; born into existence, and born into life; born a human being, and born a man.

I may be no better, but at least I am different.

Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.

I only see clearly what I remember.

Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains.

Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains.

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.