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...in respect of riches, no citizen shall ever be wealthy enough to buy another, and none poor enough to be forced to sell himself.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Rousseau emphasizes that true freedom is not for sale, as wealth cannot determine one's worth or autonomy.

In this quote, Jean-Jacques Rousseau reflects on the relationship between wealth and personal freedom, suggesting that no individual should be able to purchase another person nor should anyone be so impoverished that they feel compelled to sell themselves into servitude. This reverberates with the idea that true liberty is invaluable and cannot be quantified or commodified, highlighting the ethical implications of wealth in society.

Themes

WealthFreedomEthicsValueHumanity

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about social justice, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of personal dignity.

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