Uncivilised man has not this admirable talent; and for want of reason and wisdom, is always foolishly ready to obey the first promptings of humanity.
 Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Discourse on the Origin of Inequality Among Men (1755). copy citation

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Author Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Source Discourse on the Origin of Inequality Among Men
Topic humanity wisdom
Date 1755
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by G. D. H. Cole
Weblink https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Discourse_on_the_Origin_of_Inequality_Amo...

Context

“A murder may with impunity be committed under his window; he has only to put his hands to his ears and argue a little with himself, to prevent nature, which is shocked within him, from identifying itself with the unfortunate sufferer. Uncivilised man has not this admirable talent; and for want of reason and wisdom, is always foolishly ready to obey the first promptings of humanity. It is the populace that flocks together at riots and street-brawls, while the wise man prudently makes off. It is the mob and the market-women, who part the combatants, and hinder gentle-folks from cutting one another's throats.” source