The wickedness of mankind makes it necessary for the law to suppose them better than they really are.
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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In the infancy of societies, the chiefs of state shape its institutions; later the institutions shape the chiefs of state.
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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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Lunch kills half of Paris, supper the other half.
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In the matter of dress one should always keep below one’s ability.
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Love of the republic in a democracy, is a love of the democracy; love of the democracy is that of equality. Love of the democracy is likewise that of frugality.
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Never create by law what can be accomplished by morality.
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The English are busy; they don’t have time to be polite.
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The less men think, the more they talk.
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Political liberty is to be found only in moderate governments.
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Do you think that God will punish them for not practicing a religion which he did not reveal to them?
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With truths of a certain kind, it is not enough to make them appear convincing: one must also make them felt. Of such kind are moral truths.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU -
Human laws made to direct the will ought to give precepts, and not counsels.
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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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There is as yet no liberty if the power of judging be not separated from legislative power and the executrix
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU -
It is necessary from the very nature of things that power should be a check to power.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU