Jean-Jacques Rousseau Quotes

If we have free will, by definition we cannot be granted it. We can't be given it. My [-audio-recording-distorted-] paradox states that 'Of course we have free will, we have no choice.' To say that it's a gift is to negate the whole concept of free will on its face. So, if that isn't self-evident, I can't think of anything that would meet the definition of being self-evident.

All necessary truth is its own evidence.

All reasoning ends in an appeal to self-evidence.

I doubt not, but from self-evident Propositions, by necessary Consequences, as incontestable as those in Mathematics, the measures of right and wrong might be made out.

I say this all the time: All I know is I know nothing at all.

But is all this true?" said Brutha. Didactylos shrugged. "Could be. Could be. We are here and it is now. The way I see it is, after that, everything tends towards guesswork." "You mean you don't KNOW it's true?" said Brutha. "I THINK it might be," said Didactylos. "I could be wrong. Not being certain is what being a philosopher is all about.

What has not been examined impartially has not been well examined. Skepticism is therefore the first step towards truth.

All knowledge, is ultimately, self knowledge.

There is faith in every serious doubt, namely, the faith in the truth as such, even if the only truth we can express is our lack of truth.

One may almost doubt if the wisest man has learned anything of absolute value by living.

The enemy is subtle, how be it we are so deceived, when truth's in our hearts and we still don't believe.

There are no indisputable truths.

Truth, purity, self-control, firmness, fearlessness, humility, unity, peace, and renunciation - these are the inherent qualities of a civil resister.

Everyone who observes himself doubting observes a truth, and about that which he observes he is certain; therefore he is certain about a truth. Everyone therefore who doubts whether truth exists has in himself a truth on which not to doubt.... Hence one who can doubt at all ought not to doubt the existence of truth.

Belief in truth begins with doubting all that has hitherto been believed to be true.

Is there any knowledge in the world which is so certain that no reasonable man could doubt it?

It is not certain that everything is uncertain.

Skepticism may undermine beliefs, but never belief.

Il n'est pas certain que tout soit incertain. (Translation: It is not certain that everything is uncertain.)

Our age is bent on trying to make the barren tree of skepticism fruitful by tying the fruits of truth on its branches.

There are no instances known to me of cultures having forsaken Truth or renounced the understanding in its widest sense.

You know what? The obvious is obvious for a reason.

Profound skepticism is favorable to conventions, because it doubts that the criticism of conventions is any truer than they are.

Truth is something that we can attempt to doubt, and then perhaps, after much exertion, discover that part of the doubt is not justified.