black
grey
blue
red
brown
white

The wickedness of mankind makes it necessary for the law to suppose them better than they really are.

Baron de Montesquieu

When virtue is banished, ambition invades the minds of those who are disposed to receive it and avarice possesses the whole community.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Ambition Community Mind
But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Abuse Authority Men
Society is the union of men and not the men themselves.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Anger Men Society
Study has been for me the sovereign remedy against all the disappointments of life. I have never known any trouble that an hour’s reading would not dissipate.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Disappointment Reading Sovereign
Happy the people whose annals are tiresome.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

History People Vacant
A really intelligent man feels what other men only know.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Feels Intelligent Men
The Ottoman Empire whose sick body was not supported by a mild and regular diet, but by a powerful treatment, which continually exhausted it.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Powerful Sick
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.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Age Men Passion
If we only wanted to be happy, it would be easy; but we want to be happier than other people, and that is almost always difficult, since we think them happier than they are.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Difficult People Since Thinking
Virtue is necessary to a republic.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Republic Virtue
If one only wished to be happy, this could be easily accomplished; but we wish to be happier that other people, and this is always difficult, for we believe others to be happier than they are. you are comparing your lot with an ideal which is of course better and therefore you feel worse
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Believe Gratitude People
If you would be holy, instruct your children, because all the good acts they perform will be imputed to you.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Children Holy Imputed Instruct Perform
Luxury ruins republics; poverty, monarchies.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Luxury Republic Tyrants
Success in the majority of circumstances depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Philosophical Success Time
The history of commerce is that of the communication of the people.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Commerce Communication People
Great commanders write their actions with simplicity; because they receive more glory from facts than from words.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Facts Simplicity Writing

The wickedness of mankind makes it necessary for the law to suppose them better than they really are.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

The wickedness of mankind makes it necessary for the law to suppose them better than they really are.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

More Baron de Montesquieu Quotes