Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. Here's one who thinks he is the master of others, yet he is more enslaved than they are. - Jean-Jacques Rousseau

But so long as power remains by itself on one side, and enlightenment and wisdom isolated on the other, wise men will rarely think of great things, princes will more rarely carry out fine actions, and the people will continue to be vile, corrupt, and unhappy.

It is a bad mark against a society that those who lead it need so much Science; if men were what they ought to be, they would scarcely need to study in order to learn the things they have to do.

I would rather be exposed to all their torments than be obliged to think about them in order to protect myself from their attacks.