"Gracious! still he has the consolation of being rich," said Gilbert, with painful stupefaction.
"Like yourself, he often wonders where the next meal is coming from."
"But, though poor, he is powerful, respected and well considered?"
"He does not know of a night, in lying down, that he will not wake in the Bastille."
"How he must hate men!"
"He neither loves not hates them: they fill him with disgust, that is all."
"I do not understand how he can not hate those who ill use him," exclaimed Gilbert.
"Rousseau has always been free, and strong enough to rely on himself. Strength and liberty make men meek and good; it is only weakness and slavery which create the wicked."
"I guessed this as you explain it; and that is why I wished to be free." I see that we agree on one point, our liking for Rousseau.
"Speak for yourself, young man: youth is the season for illusions."