One always wants what is good for oneself, but one does not always see it. The people is never corrupted, but it is often fooled, and only then does … - Jean-Jacques Rousseau

"Our will is always for our own good, but we do not always see what that is; the people is never corrupted, but it is often deceived..." (Bk2:3)

"Plato, in his Republic, which is considered so stern, teaches the children only through festivals, games, songs, and amusements. It seems as if he had accomplished his purpose when he had taught them to be happy; and Seneca, speaking of the Roman lads in olden days, says, "They were always on their feet, they were never taught anything which kept them sitting." Were they any the worse for it in manhood? Do not be afraid, therefore, of this so-called idleness. What would you think of a man who refused to sleep lest he should waste part of his life? You would say, "He is mad; he is not enjoying his life, he is robbing himself of part of it; to avoid sleep he is hastening his death." Remember that these two cases are alike, and that childhood is the sleep of reason."

In crowds it is stupidity and not mother-wit that is accumulated.

De manera que toda esta superioridad de sabiduría que me otorga el oráculo se reduce únicamente a estar convencido completamente de que ignoro todo lo que no sé.