Men already had ideas on law, morality, the family, the state, and society itself before the advent of social science, for these ideas were necessary… - Émile Durkheim

Division of labour produces solidarity only if it is spontaneous and in proportion as it is spontaneous. But by spontaneity we must understand not simply the absence of all express violence, but also of everything that can even indirectly shackle the free unfolding of the social force that each carries in himself. It supposes, not only that individuals are not relegated to determinate functions by force, but also that no obstacle, of whatever nature, prevents than from occupying the place in the social framework which is compatible with their social faculties. In short, labour is divided spontaneously only if society is constituted in such a way that social inequalities exactly express natural inequalities

Methodological rules are for science what rules of law and custom are for conduct.

There is no sociology worthy of the name which does not possess a historical character.