There are only two cases in which war is just: first, in order to resist the aggression of an enemy, and second, in order to help an ally who has been attacked. Baron de Montesquieu More Quotes by Baron de Montesquieu More Quotes From Baron de Montesquieu Vanity and pride of nations; vanity is as advantageous to a government as pride is dangerous. Baron de Montesquieu vanity government pride We ought to be very cautious and circumspect in the prosecution of magic and heresy. The attempt to put down these two crimes may be extremely perilous to liberty. Baron de Montesquieu magic wisdom two Human laws made to direct the will ought to give precepts, and not counsels. Baron de Montesquieu law made giving 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. Baron de Montesquieu speak writing men I have always observed that to succeed in the world one should seem a fool, but be wise. Baron de Montesquieu philosophical wise success The reason the Romans built their great paved highways was because they had such inconvenient footwear. Baron de Montesquieu highways philosophical reason Politics are a smooth file, which cuts gradually, and attains its end by slow progression. Baron de Montesquieu progression smooth cutting Men should be bewailed at their birth, and not at their death. Baron de Montesquieu philosophical birth men In constitutional states, liberty is compensation for heavy taxes; in dictatorships, the subsititue is light taxes. Baron de Montesquieu liberty states light In every government there are three sorts of power: the legislative; the executive in respect to things dependent on the law of nations; and the executive in regard to matters that depend on the civil law. Baron de Montesquieu three government law In a republic there is no coercive force as in other governments, the laws must therefore endeavor to supply this defect. Baron de Montesquieu republic government law It is difficult for the united states to be all of equal power and extent. Baron de Montesquieu equal difficult united-states An author is a fool who, not content with boring those he lives with, insists on boring future generations. Baron de Montesquieu philosophical future life We must have constantly present in our minds the difference between independence and liberty. Liberty is a right of doing whatever the laws permit, and if a citizen could do what they forbid he would no longer be possessed of liberty. Baron de Montesquieu independence differences law 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 Montesquieu laughter happiness men Thus the creation, which seems an arbitrary act, supposes laws as invariable as those of the fatality of the Atheists. It would be absurd to say that the Creator might govern the world without those rules, since without them it could not subsist. Baron de Montesquieu atheism atheist law Luxury ruins republics; poverty, monarchies. Baron de Montesquieu republic luxury tyrants Countries are not cultivated in proportion to their fertility, but to their liberty. Baron de Montesquieu fertility liberty country Better it is to say that the government most comfortable to nature is that which best agrees with the humor and disposition of the people in whose favor it is established. Baron de Montesquieu favors government people The culminating point of administration is to know well how much power, great or small, we ought to use in all circumstances. Baron de Montesquieu administration power use
