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118 The Second Discourseamong us the use of speech; and it is very probable at least that society andlanguages commenced in islands, and even were highly developed there,before the inhabitants of the continent knew anything of either.Everything now begins to wear a new aspect. Those who heretoforewandered through the woods, by taking to a more settled way of life,gradually flock together, coalesce into several separate bodies, and at lengthform in every country a distinct nation, united in character and manners, notby any laws or regulations, but by the same way of life, and alimentation,and the common influence of the climate. Living permanently near eachother could not fail eventually to create some connection between differentfamilies. The transient commerce required by nature soon produced, amongthe youth of both sexes living in neighboring huts, another kind of commerce,which besides being not less agreeable is rendered more durable bymutual association. Men begin to consider different objects, and to makecomparisons; they imperceptibly acquire ideas of merit and beauty, andthese soon give rise to feelings of preference. By seeing each other oftenthey contract a habit, which makes it painful not to see each other always.Tender and agreeable sentiments steal into the soul, and are by the smallestopposition wound up into the most impetuous fury: jealousy kindles withlove; discord triumphs; and the gentlest of passions requires sacrifices ofhuman blood to appease it.In proportion as ideas and feelings succeed each other, and the head andthe heart become active, men continue to shake off their original wildness,and their connections become more intimate and extensive. They now beganto assemble round a great tree: singing and dancing, the genuine offspringof love and leisure, became the amusement or rather the occupationof the men and women, free from care, thus gathered together. Everyonebegan to notice the rest, and wished to be noticed himself; and publicesteem acquired a value. He who sang or danced best; the handsomest, thestrongest, the most dexterous, or the most eloquent, came to be the mostrespected: this was the first step towards inequality, and at the same timetowards vice. From these first distinctions there arose on one side vanityand contempt, on the other envy and shame; and the fermentation raised bythese new leavens at length produced combinations fatal to happiness andinnocence.Men no sooner began to set a value upon each other, and know whatesteem was, than each laid claim to it, and it was no longer safe for any manto refuse it to another. Hence the first duties of politeness, even amongsavages; and hence every voluntary injury became an affront, as besides thehurt which resulted from it as an injury, the offended party was sure to find