Emile, or On Education

not to believe myself to be the only one wiser than everyone else; it depends on me, not to change my sentiment, but to distrust my own: this is all I can do, and what I do. If I sometimes take an affirmative tone, it is not to impose it upon the reader, it is to speak to him as I think. Why should I propose as a doubt that of which, as for me, I do not doubt at all? I say exactly what is happening in my mind.

A small decorative floral ornament appears here.
By exposing my sentiment with liberty, I so little intend that it carry authority that I always join my reasons to it, so that one may weigh them and judge me: but although I do not wish to be obstinate in defending my ideas, I do not believe myself any less obligated to propose them; for the maxims upon which I am of an opinion contrary to that of others are not indifferent. They are those whose truth or falsehood is important to know, and which make the happiness or the misery of the human race.