Man's first language was the cry of nature. It is clear that nature has done little to bring men together, or to make them sociable. There is no reason why men in the natural state should need each other. Rousseau's idea of natural goodness of savage man rests not on any good quality that man might have, but rather on his ignorance. Without language or the ability to reason, it simply never occurs to the savage to be evil. From his picture of a savage man Rousseau derives the two basic principles of his Discourse: pity and self-preservation. These two qualities are what make it possible for savage men to coexist. Pity draws one person towards another, whereas the desire for self-preservation draws men apart. Pity takes the place of laws because if you pity another and empathize with him, you cannot harm them. Only pity and self-preservation can guarantee a degree of harmony. Inequality is barely perceptible in the state of nature, aside from those of physical nature.
The condition of nascent man was simple: his first care was for self-preservation. Man scarcely dreamt of exploiting or profiting from nature. However, difficulties soon arose. Man had to become agile, fight and overcome the obstacles of nature. Different climates produced different lifestyles as man learnt to hunt animals, he began to consider himself superior among the species. Savage man was solitary, but gradually began to see similarities between himself and others. Man was in a position to judge when he should cooperate with others. Such dealings did not require a refined language. Men discovered tools, how to build huts. This was the first "revolution," which led to the establishment of families and a sort of property. Conjugal love resulted from families living together. Each family was like a small society. Women became sedentary and stayed at home while men foraged. Men acquired new conveniences that weakened their bodies and minds, and which turned into needs.
