"I know that [civilized men] do nothing but boast incessantly of the peace and repose they enjoy in their chains.... But when I see [barbarous man] sacrifice pleasures, repose, wealth, power, and life itself for the preservation of this sole good which is so disdained by those who have lost it; when I see animals born free and despising captivity break their heads against the bars of their prison; when I see multitudes of entirely naked savages scorn European voluptuousness and endure hunger, fire, the sword, and death to preserve only their independence, I feel it does not behoove slaves to reason about freedom."

Freedom Inequality Independence Civilization

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About Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a Genevan-born philosopher, writer, and political theorist whose works influenced modern political thought and education. He is known for The Social Contract, Discourse on Inequality, and Emile.

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