Jean-Jacques Rousseau (born 312 years ago / died 246 years ago) resided in France when he published his “The Social Contract”.
“The fruits of the earth belong to us all, and the earth itself to nobody”…
…got Rousseau charged with blasphemy and denounced as the antichrist – whatever that’s supposed to be – when, in fact, he’s an optimist.
Either way, blasphemy was a crime in France at the time — remains so in too many countries today.
(By too many I mean more than 1)
Be it as it may, it got Rousseau condemned from the pulpit by the archbishop of Paris and the Parisian and Geneva catholic governments. His books got burned and banned in some places. Warrants were issued for his arrest. Rousseau was forced to flee to Switzerland.
He was a polarizing word-user 300 years ago. Much water has gone under the bridge in the 300 years since, but it’s the same water, possibly more polluted.
- “All of my misfortunes come from having thought too well of my fellows.” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- “Force does not constitute right. Obedience is due only to legitimate powers.” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- “Nature never deceives us. It is we who deceive ourselves.” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- “Plant and your spouse plants with you. Weed and you weed alone.” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- “Take the course opposite to custom and you will almost always do well.” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- “We should not teach children the sciences, but give them a taste for them.” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau
In other words, little has changed. Rousseau is a polarizing word-user among word-users now.
The wordless? Many word-users believe the wordless don’t have a clue. How could they, without words?
I say they know more than we do.
#education #FreedomOfSpeech #personaldevelopment #word #cmba
