人是生而自由的，却无往不在枷锁之中。自以为是其他一切的主人的人，反而比其他一切更是奴隶。这种变化是怎样形成的？我不了解。是什么才使这种变化成为合法的？我自信能够解答这个问题。

——让-雅克·卢梭

Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. One man thinks himself the master of others, but remains more of a slave than they are. How did this change come about? I do not know. What can make it legitimate? I believe I can answer that question.

—Jean-Jacques Rousseau