Power ought to serve as a check to power. Montesquieu More Quotes by Montesquieu More Quotes From Montesquieu The deterioration of a government begins almost always by the decay of its principles. Montesquieu beginsalwaysgovernmentprinciples It is not the young people that degenerate; they are not spoiled till those of mature age are already sunk into corruption. Montesquieu corruptionmatureagepeople 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. Montesquieu true-happinessproudhappinessmen 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. Montesquieu manslaverypowerlife A man should be mourned at his birth, not at his death. Montesquieu hismanbirthdeath 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. Montesquieu goodtimewarpeace Life was given to me as a favor, so I may abandon it when it is one no longer. Montesquieu favormemaylife The less men think, the more they talk. Montesquieu lessmoretalkthinkmen In most things success depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed. Montesquieu thingssucceedsuccesslong I have always observed that to succeed in the world one should seem a fool, but be wise. Montesquieu foolsucceedwiseworld When the body of the people is possessed of the supreme power, it is called a democracy. Montesquieu democracypoliticspowerpeople Weak minds exaggerate too much the wrong done to the Africans. Montesquieu wrongtoo-muchdoneweak 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. Montesquieu be-happythinkhappypeople Do you think that God will punish them for not practicing a religion which he did not reveal to them? Montesquieu thinkyougodreligion
