The deterioration of a government begins almost always by the decay of its principles. Montesquieu More Quotes by Montesquieu More Quotes From Montesquieu Author A fool who, not content with having bored those who have lived with him, insists on tormenting generations to come. Montesquieu Friendship is an arrangement by which we undertake to exchange small favors for big ones. Montesquieu 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. Montesquieu It is always the adventurers who do great things, not the sovereigns of great empires. Montesquieu Lunch kills half of Paris, supper the other half. Montesquieu Success in the majority of circumstances depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed. Montesquieu The spirit of moderation should also be the spirit of the lawgiver. Montesquieu There is no nation so powerful, as the one that obeys its laws not from principals of fear or reason, but from passion. Montesquieu 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. Montesquieu Useless laws weaken the necessary laws. Montesquieu We should weep for men at their birth, not at their death. Montesquieu What orators lack in depth, they make up to you in length. Montesquieu There is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law and in the name of justice. Montesquieu name tyranny law justice Power ought to serve as a check to power. Montesquieu check serve ought power When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty; because apprehensions may arise, lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws, to execute them in a tyrannical manner. Montesquieu same person liberty body Religious wars are not caused by the fact that there is more than one religion, but by the spirit of intolerance... the spread of which can only be regarded as the total eclipse of human reason. Montesquieu more spirit reason religion Liberty is the right to do what the law permits. Montesquieu permits right liberty law The reason the Romans built their great paved highways was because they had such inconvenient footwear. Montesquieu romans because great reason 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. Montesquieu will man experience power 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. Montesquieu see time people religion
