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Success in the majority of circumstances depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed.

Baron de Montesquieu

If I knew of something that could serve my nation but would ruin another, I would not propose it to my prince, for I am first a man and only then a Frenchman… because I am necessarily a man, and only accidentally am I French.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Firsts Men Ruin
Virtue has needs of limits.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Limits Needs Virtue
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.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Law Real War
Those who have few affairs to attend to are great speakers. The less men think, the more they talk.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Men Talking Thinking
Power ought to serve as a check to power.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Checks Ought Power
Wherever I find envy I take a pleasure in provoking it: I always praise before an envious man those who make him grow pale.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Envy Men Praise
Countries are not cultivated in proportion to their fertility, but to their liberty.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Country Fertility Liberty
Society is the union of men and not the men themselves.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Anger Men Society
Every man who has power is impelled to abuse it.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Abuse Evil Men
To succeed in the world we must look foolish but be wise.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Looks Success Wise
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
What cowardice it is to be dismayed by the happiness of others and devastated by there good fortune.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Cowardice Envy Fortune
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
Solemnity is the shield of idiots
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Idiot Shields Stupidity
Thus the creation, which seems an arbitrary act, supposes laws as invariable as those of the fatality of the Atheists. It would be absurd to say that the Creator might govern the world without those rules, since without them it could not subsist.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Atheism Atheist Law
An injustice committed against anyone is a threat to everyone.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Human Justice Rights Threat

Success in the majority of circumstances depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed.

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Success in the majority of circumstances depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed.

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