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. Baron de Montesquieu More Quotes by Baron de Montesquieu More Quotes From Baron de Montesquieu What cowardice it is to be dismayed by the happiness of others and devastated by there good fortune. Baron de Montesquieu cowardice envy fortune Those who have few affairs to attend to are great speakers. The less men think, the more they talk. Baron de Montesquieu talking men thinking I have read descriptions of Paradise that would make any sensible person stop wanting to go there. Baron de Montesquieu description paradise sensible If the triangles made a god, they would give him three sides. Baron de Montesquieu philosophical two-sides god The majority of men are more capable of great actions than of good ones. Baron de Montesquieu majority deeds men It is requisite the government be so constituted as one man need not be afraid of another. Baron de Montesquieu government men needs If triangles had a god, he would have three sides. Baron de Montesquieu triangles three god Lunch kills half of Paris, supper the other half. Baron de Montesquieu philosophical paris lunch This punishment of death is the remedy, as it were, of a sick society. Baron de Montesquieu remedy punishment sick The pagan religion, which prohibited only some of the grosser crimes, and which stopped the hand but meddled not with the heart, might have crimes that were inexplicable. Baron de Montesquieu heart might hands Men in excess of happiness or misery are equally inclined to severity. Witness conquerors and monks! It is mediocrity alone, and a mixture of prosperous and adverse fortune that inspire us with lenity and pity. Baron de Montesquieu mixtures men inspire 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. Baron de Montesquieu ruins machines passion In bodies moved, the motion is received, increased, diminished, or lost, according to the relations of the quantity of matter and velocity; each diversity is uniformity, each change is constancy. Baron de Montesquieu diversity movement body Very good laws may be ill timed. Baron de Montesquieu very-good law may In the matter of dress one should always keep below one's ability. Baron de Montesquieu should matter dresses Injustice towards others is a threat to everybody Baron de Montesquieu threat injustice clever A fondness for reading changes the inevitable dull hours of our life into exquisite hours of delight. Baron de Montesquieu delight reading dull Friendship is a contract in which we render small services in expectation of big ones. Baron de Montesquieu contracts expectations friendship Republics come to an end by luxurious habits; monarchies by poverty. Baron de Montesquieu republic politics wisdom When God endowed human beings with brains, He did not intend to guarantee them. Baron de Montesquieu humans guarantees brain
