Laws, in their most general signification, are the necessary relations derived from the nature of things.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEUVirtue has needs of limits.
More Baron de Montesquieu Quotes
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Laws undertake to punish only overt acts.
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Power ought to serve as a check to power.
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As virtue is necessary in a republic, and honor in a monarchy, fear is what is required in a despotism. As for virtue, it is not at all necessary, and honor would be dangerous there.
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A rational army would run away.
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When a government is arrived to that degree of corruption as to be incapable of reforming itself, it would not lose much by being new moulded.
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Liberty is the right to do what the law permits.
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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.
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A man who writes well writes not as others write, but as he himself writes; it is often in speaking badly that he speaks well.
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To succeed in the world we must look foolish but be wise.
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Human laws made to direct the will ought to give precepts, and not counsels.
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The sublimity of administration consists in knowing the proper degree of power that should be exerted on different occasions.
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Christianity stamped its character on jurisprudence; for empire has ever a connection with the priesthood.
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An injustice committed against anyone is a threat to everyone.
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Democracy is corrupted not only when the spirit of equality is corrupted, but likewise when they fall into a spirit of extreme equality.
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People here argue about religion interminably, but it appears that they are competing at the same time to see who can be the least devout.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU