False happiness renders men stern and proud, and that happiness is never communicated. True happiness renders them kind and sensible, and that happiness is always shared.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEUWhat unhappy beings men are! They constantly waver between false hopes and silly fears, and instead of relying on reason they create monsters to frighten themselves with, and phantoms which lead them astray.
More Baron de Montesquieu Quotes
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If triangles had a god, he would have three sides.
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As men are affected in all ages by the same passions, the occasions which bring about great changes are different, but the causes are always the same.
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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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Politics are a smooth file, which cuts gradually, and attains its end by slow progression.
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The spirit of moderation should also be the spirit of the lawgiver.
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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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The love of study is in us the only lasting passion. All the others quit us in proportion as this miserable machine which holds them approaches its ruins.
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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.
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It is difficult for the united states to be all of equal power and extent.
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The false notion of miracles comes of our vanity, which makes us believe we are important enough for the Supreme Being to upset nature on our behalf.
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Republics end through luxury; monarchies through poverty.
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There is hardly any grief that an hour’s reading will not dissipate.
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It is clear that in a monarchy, where he who commands the exceution of the laws generally thinks himself above them, there is lessneed of virtue than in a popular government, where the person entrusted with the execution of the laws is sensible of his being subject to their direction.
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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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If the triangles made a god, they would give him three sides.
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU