"Know at last, you peoples, that nature wanted to keep science away from you, just as mothers tear the dangerous weapon from the hands of their children; that every time he hides his secrets from you, he saves you from so much pain, and if you have to pay for the acquisition of knowledge with effort, this effort is not the smallest benefit.
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Author
Jean Jacques RousseauAll Translations
All Translations
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Know at last, you peoples, that nature wanted to keep science away from you, just as mothers tear the dangerous weapon from the hands of their children; that every time he hides his secrets from you, he saves you from so much pain, and if you have to pay for the acquisition of knowledge with effort, this effort is not the smallest benefit.
""Tudjátok meg hát végre, ti népek, hogy a természet távol akarta tartani tőletek a tudományt, miként az anyák is kitépik a veszedelmes fegyvert gyermekük kezéből; hogy valahányszor elrejti előletek a titkait, megannyi kíntól óv meg titeket, és ha fáradsággal kell fizetnetek a tudás megszerzéséért, ez a fáradság nem a legcsekélyebb jótéteménye."