Despite the excesses which he ever deplored, this second Revolution appeared to him to be the dawn of a new and intelligent age.

The clear-cut definitions of the new political creed dovetailed in with his own rigid views of life.

Mankind was to be saved by law, society being levelled down and levelled up until the ideals of Lycurgus were attained.

Consequently he regarded the Republic as a mighty agency for the social regeneration not only of France, but of all peoples.

His insular sentiments were gradually merged in these vaster schemes.
Self-interest and the differentiating effects of party strifes undoubtedly assisted the mental transformation; but it is clear that the study of the "Social Contract" was the touchstone of his early intellectual growth.