Baron de Montesquieu Quotes - Page 4

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.

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.

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.

Europe is a state with several provinces

In the infancy of societies, the chiefs of state shape its institutions; later the institutions shape the chiefs of state.

The prejudices of superstition are superior to all others, and have the strongest influence on the human mind.

Coffee renders many foolish people temporarily capable of wise actions

Great commanders write their actions with simplicity; because they receive more glory from facts than from words.

If you run after wit, you will succeed in catching folly.

Ever since the invention of gunpowder.. I continually tremble lest men should, in the end, uncover some secret which would provide a short way of abolishing mankind, of annihilating peoples and nations in their entirety.

Injustice towards others is a threat to everybody

[The Pope] will make the king believe that three are only one, that the bread he eats is not bread... and a thousand other things of the same kind.

What cowardice it is to be dismayed by the happiness of others and devastated by there good fortune.

Do you think that God will punish them for not practicing a religion which he did not reveal to them?

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.

Slavery, properly so called, is the establishment of a right which gives to one man such a power over another as renders him absolute master of his life and fortune.

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.

If one only wished to be happy, this could be easily accomplished; but we wish to be happier that other people, and this is always difficult, for we believe others to be happier than they are. you are comparing your lot with an ideal which is of course better and therefore you feel worse

When the [law making] and [law enforcement] powers are united in the same person... there can be no liberty.

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.

There are three species of government: republican, monarchical, and despotic.

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.

Political liberty is to be found only in moderate governments.

The less luxury there is in a republic, the more it is perfect.

There is no one, says another, whom fortune does not visit once in his life; but when she does not find him ready to receive her, she walks in at the door, and flies out at the window.