Jean-Jacques Rousseau Quotes

Statesmen are judged by history beyond contemporary debates.

You never know how history is going to view things.

Posterity will pay everyone their due.

Posterity makes the judgments. There are going to be a lot of surprises in store for everybody.

History will treat me right.

I know that after my death a pile of rubbish will be heaped on my grave, but the wind of History will sooner or later sweep it away without mercy.

We cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves.... The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation.

Well, I'm not sure, but of one thing I am certain: History judges one differently than contemporary observers, and so I think that as time passes, I hope that not me personally so much, but our administration will be seen for some of the things that we accomplished.

It's up to history to judge.

There are people who will appreciate what I've done, and there will be people who will criticize me. Ultimately history will have the final say.

There are people who recall my father as a saint and a monster. I'm quite sure I will share the same fate.

I would not hold that we must judge by the favorable or adverse result alone whether an undertaking was just or unjust.

The principal end a prince was made for is to take care, that every one should have his rights. This ought to engage him to study not only the science of those great civilians, who ascend to the first principles of law, which regulate human society, and are the basis as it were of government and politics; but also that part of the law, which descends to the affairs of particular persons. This branch is generally left for the gentlemen of the long robe, and not admitted into the education of princes, though they are every day to pass judgment upon the fortunes, liberties, lives, honor, and reputation of their subjects. Princes are continually talked to of valour and liberality; but if justice do not regulate these two qualities, they degenerate into the most odious vices. Without justice valour does nothing but destroy; and liberality is only a foolish profuseness. Justice keeps all in order, and contains within bounds him, who distributes it, as well as those, to whom it is distributed.

The test of greatness is the page of history.

As for my conduct in public office, my compatriots, as is usually the case, will divide their opinions; their children will render true judgment.

History will decide if I'm a villain or a hero.

Today's headlines and history's judgment are rarely the same. If you are too attentive to the former, you will most certainly not do the hard work of securing the latter.

If I am to be judged by those who come after me, let me be judged for the truth.

Justice, voiceless, unseen, seeth thee when thou sleepest and when thou goest forth and when thou liest down. Continually doth she attend thee, now aslant thy course, now at a later time. These lines are from a section of doubtful or spurious fragments.

Posterity always degenerates till it becomes our ancestors.

Posterity will know as little of me as I know of posterity.

It is not enough that your designs, nay that your actions, are intrinsically good, you must take care they shall appear so.

If we escape punishment for our vices, why should we complain if we are not rewarded for our virtues?

What shall I do to be for ever known, And make the age to come my own?

Posterity allows to every man his true value and proper honours.