"Thus in the task of legislation we find together two things which appear to be incompatible: an enterprise too difficult for human powers, and, for its execution, an authority that is no authority. There is a further difficulty that deserves attention. Wise men, if they try to speak their language to the common herd instead of its own, cannot possibly make themselves understood. There are a thousand kinds of ideas which it is impossible to translate into popular language."

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Added on April 10, 2026
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Original Language: English

Sources

II, Ch. 7

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Social_Contract