"The body politic, as well as the human body, begins to die as soon as it is born, and carries itself the causes of its destruction"
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau
About this Quote
This quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a reflection on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. He is recommending that, just like the body, the body politic (the cumulative body of people in a state) is born with the seeds of its own damage. He is implying that, no matter how effective or prominent a state might be, it is still based on the same laws of nature as the specific body. Rousseau is recommending that, just as the body will ultimately catch death, so too will the body politic. He is highlighting the importance of taking advantage of the time we have, both as people and as a cumulative, and to appreciate the appeal of life while we can.
"One has children in the expectation of dying before them. In fact, you want to make damn sure you die before them, just as you plant a tree or build a house knowing, hoping that it will outlive you. That's how the human species has done as well as it has"
"Well, I think any time you delve into this sort of religion, politics, as you well know, you're going to, you know, touch a few nerves. I wasn't - now - and this is the honest truth"
