WIST

A little bit of agitation gives motivation to the soul, and what really makes the species prosper is not peace so much as freedom.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) French philosopher and writer
(Attributed)

It is not hard to confess our criminal acts, but our ridiculous and shameful acts.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) French philosopher and writer
Confessions (1731-32)

She had some experience of the world, and the capacity for reflection that makes such experience profitable.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) French philosopher and writer
Confessions, ch. 3 “1731-1732″ (1781) [tr. Cohen (1953)]

One advantage resulting form virtuous actions is that they elevate the mind and dispose it to attempt others more virtuous still.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) French philosopher and writer
Confessions, ch. 3 (1731-32)
tr. J. M. Cohen, 1953

I remembered the way out suggested by a great princess when told that the peasants had no bread: “Well, let them eat cake.”

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) French philosopher and writer
Confessions, ch. 6 (1781) [tr. Cohen (1953)]

The only moral lesson which is suited for a child — the most important lesson for every time of life — is this: “Never hurt anybody.”

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) French philosopher and writer
Emile (1762)

The risk is not in what he does not know, but in what he thinks he knows.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) French philosopher and writer
Emile, ch. 3 (1762) [tr. Foxley (1911)]

The first reward of justice is the consciousness that we are acting justly.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) French philosopher and writer
Emile, ch. 4 “The Creed of a Savoyard Priest” (1762) [tr. Foley (1911)]

The God whom I adore is not the God of darkness, he has not given me understanding in order to forbid me to use it; to tell me to submit my reason
is to insult the giver of reason.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) French philosopher and writer
Emile, ch. 4 “The Creed of a Savoyard Priest” (1762) [tr. Foxley (1911)]
    (Source)

Those who desire to treat politics and morals apart from one another will never understand either.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) French philosopher and writer
Emile, ch. 4 (1762) [tr. Foxley (1911)]

In all the ills which befall us, we look more at the intention than the effect. A tile which falls from the house may hurt more, but does not vex us so much as a stone thrown designedly by an ill-natured hand.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) French philosopher and writer
Reveries of a Solitary Walker (1782)

Tranquility is found also in dungeons; but is that enough to make them desirable places to live in?

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) French philosopher and writer
The Social Contract, ch. 4 “Slavery” (1761)
Trans. G.D.H. Cole (1913). Full text.

Good laws lead to the making of better ones; bad ones bring about worse.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) French philosopher and writer
The Social Contract, pt. III, ch. 15 (1762)
trans. G.D.H. Cole (1913)