I should like to abolish funerals; the time to mourn a person is at his birth, not his death.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEUSolemnity is the shield of idiots
More Baron de Montesquieu Quotes
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Success in the majority of circumstances depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed.
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Religious wars are not caused by the fact that there is more than one religion, but by the spirit of intolerance… the spread of which can only be regarded as the total eclipse of human reason.
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A rational army would run away.
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There are only two cases in which war is just: first, in order to resist the aggression of an enemy, and second, in order to help an ally who has been attacked.
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As men are affected in all ages by the same passions, the occasions which bring about great changes are different, but the causes are always the same.
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That anyone who possesses power has a tendency to abuse it is an eternal truth. They tend to go as far as the barriers will allow.
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I have read descriptions of Paradise that would make any sensible person stop wanting to go there.
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The less luxury there is in a republic, the more it is perfect.
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If the triangles made a god, they would give him three sides.
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Although born in a prosperous realm, we did not believe that its boundaries should limit our knowledge, and that the lore of the East should alone enlighten us.
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In every government there are three sorts of power: the legislative; the executive in respect to things dependent on the law of nations; and the executive in regard to matters that depend on the civil law.
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A man who writes well writes not as others write, but as he himself writes; it is often in speaking badly that he speaks well.
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A really intelligent man feels what other men only know.
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If you would be holy, instruct your children, because all the good acts they perform will be imputed to you.
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The law of nations is naturally founded on this principle, that different nations ought in time of peace to do one another all the good they can, and in time of war as little injury as possible, without prejudicing their real interests.
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Power ought to serve as a check to power.
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Fain would I glide down a gentle river, but I am carried away by a torrent.
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I shall ever repeat it, that mankind are governed not by extremes, but by principals of moderation.
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Injustice towards others is a threat to everybody
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The public business must be carried on with a certain motion, neither too quick nor too slow.
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When one wants to change manners and customs, one should not do so by changing the laws.
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There is as yet no liberty if the power of judging be not separated from legislative power and the executrix
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The false notion of miracles comes of our vanity, which makes us believe we are important enough for the Supreme Being to upset nature on our behalf.
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Virtue in a republic is the love of one’s country, that is the love of equality.
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As virtue is necessary in a republic, and honor in a monarchy, fear is what is required in a despotism. As for virtue, it is not at all necessary, and honor would be dangerous there.
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We receive three educations, one from our parents, one from our school-masters, and one from the world. The third contradicts all that the first two teach us.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU