…when the laws have ceased to be executed, as this can only come from the corruption of the republic, the state is already lost.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEUThere is still another inconvenieney in conquests made by democracies; their government is ever odious to the conquered states. It is apparently monarchical, but in reality it is more oppressive than monarchy, as the experience of all ages and countries evinces.
More Baron de Montesquieu Quotes
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Republics are brought to their ends by luxury; monarchies by poverty.
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Passion makes us feel, but never see clearly.
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It is necessary from the very nature of things that power should be a check to power.
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A rational army would run away.
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Raillery is a mode of speaking in favor of one’s wit at the expense of one’s better nature.
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A fondness for reading changes the inevitable dull hours of our life into exquisite hours of delight.
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If the triangles made a god, they would give him three sides.
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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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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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Knowledge humanizes mankind, and reason inclines to mildness; but prejudices eradicate every tender disposition.
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When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty; because apprehensions may arise, lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws, to execute them in a tyrannical manner.
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When God endowed human beings with brains, He did not intend to guarantee them.
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Wonderful maxim: not to talk of things any more after they are done.
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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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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