The Differences Between Savage and Domestic Man

Nature behaves towards all animals left to our care with a predilection that seems to prove how jealous she is of that prerogative. Let us therefore beware of confounding savage man with the men whom we daily see and converse with. They lose half these advantages by becoming domestic animals. It looks as if all our attention to treat them kindly and to feed them well served only to bastardize them. It is thus with man himself. In proportion as he becomes sociable and a slave to others, he becomes weak, fearful, mean, spirited. His soft and effeminate way of living at once completes the innovation of his strength and of his courage. We may add that there must