By classing governments, he had compared them, by comparing he passed judgment on them; and this judgment brought out, in its bold relief, and contrast, on every page, right and force, privilege and equality, tyranny and liberty.
Jean Jacques Rousseau, less ingenious, but more eloquent, had studied politics, not in the laws, but in nature.

A free but oppressed and suffering mind, the palpitation of his noble heart had made every heart beat that had been ulcerated by the odious inequality of social conditions.

It was the revolt of the ideal against the real.

He had been the tribune of nature, the Gracchus of philosophy--he had not produced the history of institutions, only its vision--but that vision descended from heaven and returned thither.

There was to be seen the design of God and the excess of his love--but there was not enough seen of the infirmity of men.