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 MONTESQUIEUPolitics are a smooth file, which cuts gradually, and attains its end by slow progression.
More Baron de Montesquieu Quotes
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Wherever I find envy I take a pleasure in provoking it: I always praise before an envious man those who make him grow pale.
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There is no nation so powerful, as the one that obeys its laws not from principals of fear or reason, but from passion.
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Better it is to say that the government most comfortable to nature is that which best agrees with the humor and disposition of the people in whose favor it is established.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU -
When the body of the people is possessed of the supreme power, it is called a democracy.
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Political liberty in a citizen is that tranquillity of spirit which comes from the opinion each one has of his security, and in order for him to have this liberty the government must be such that one citizen cannot fear another citizen.
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What orators lack in depth they make up for in length.
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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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The English are busy; they don’t have time to be polite.
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One more organ or one less in our body would give us a different intelligence. In fact, all the established laws as to why our body is a certain way would be different if our body were not that way.
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Laws undertake to punish only overt acts.
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Europe is a state with several provinces
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The spirit of commerce… renders every man willing to live on his own property…& prevents the growth of luxury.
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In a republic there is no coercive force as in other governments, the laws must therefore endeavor to supply this defect.
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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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Politics are a smooth file, which cuts gradually, and attains its end by slow progression.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU