1. 1. “Power should be a check to power.
In the state of nature. . . All men are born equal, but they cannot continue in this equality. Society makes them lose it, and they recover it only by the protection of law.”
2. “The Natural Liberty of Man is to be free from any Superior Power on Earth, and not to be under the Will or Legislative Authority of Man, but to have only the Law of Nature for his Rule. . . This freedom from Absolute, Arbitrary Power is so necessary to, and closely joined with a man’s preservation, that he cannot part with it . . .”
3. “In order that the social contract may not be a mere empty formula, everyone must understand that any individual who refuses to obey the general will must be forced by his fellows to do so. This is a way of saying that it may be necessary to force a man to be free, freedom in this case being obedience to the will of it all.”
4. “I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it.
It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.”
5. “It is not Wisdom but Authority which makes the law.
The condition of man is a condition of war of everyone against everyone.”
6. “Men, in general seem to employ their reason to justify prejudices. . . Rather than to root them out. The mind must be strong that resolutely forms its own principles; for a kind of intellectual cowardice prevails which makes many men shrink from the task.”
7. “Such punishments, therefore, and such a mode of inflicting them, ought to be chosen, as will make the strongest, most lasting impression on the minds of others, with the least torment to the body of the criminal. The torture of a criminal during the course of his trial is a cruelty consecrated by custom in most nations. . . It is better to prevent crimes than to punish them.”
8. “All mankind. . . Being equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possession.
Political power is that power which every man. . . has given up into the hands of society.”
9. “ We, the contracting parties, do jointly and severally submit our persons and abilities to the supreme direction of the general will of all . . .
Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains.”
10. “When the legislature and executive are united in the same person There can be no liberty. . . “