.

according to the poet it is gold and silver, but according to the philosopher it is iron and corn which have civilized men and ruined the human race." The singularity of his paradox had worn off; Rousseau no longer astounded, he shocked the good sense as well as the aspirations, superficial or generous, of the eighteenth century.

The _Discours sur l'Inegalite des conditions_ was not a success.

"I have received, sir, your new book against the human race," wrote Voltaire; "I thank you for it.

You will please men to whom you tell truths about them, and you will not make them any better.