The Answer:

This quote can be attributed to French philosopher, writer, and political theorist, Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

It is the first line of his 1762 essay "Du Contrat social (The Social Contract)." In the essay Rousseau maintained that human beings were essentially good and equal in the state of nature but were corrupted by the introduction of property, agriculture, science, and commerce.

For more information, check out these links:

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau Association
• The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Jean-Jacques Rousseau

—The Editors