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 Each particular society begins to feel its strength, whence arises a state of war between different nations. Baron de Montesquieu states different war In the birth of societies it is the chiefs of states who give it its special character; and afterward it is this special character that forms the chiefs of state. Baron de Montesquieu leadership giving character There is hardly any grief that an hour's reading will not dissipate. Baron de Montesquieu hours grief reading Society is the union of men and not the men themselves. Baron de Montesquieu society anger men No kingdom has shed more blood than the kingdom of Christ. Baron de Montesquieu philosophical kingdoms blood Slowness is frequently the cause of much greater slowness. Baron de Montesquieu slowness greater causes Honor sets all the parts of the body politic in motion, and by its very action connects them; thus each individual advances the public good, while he only thinks of promoting his own interest. Baron de Montesquieu body honor thinking The laws do not take upon them to punish any other than overt acts. Baron de Montesquieu law The public business must be carried on with a certain motion, neither too quick nor too slow. Baron de Montesquieu certain The crime against nature will never make any great progress in society unless people are prompted to it by some particular custom. Baron de Montesquieu progress crime people Certain kinds of foolishness are such that a greater foolishness would be better. Baron de Montesquieu certain kind would-be Europe is a state with several provinces Baron de Montesquieu states europe country It is always the adventurers who do great things, not the sovereigns of great empires. Baron de Montesquieu empires greatness adventure The English are busy folk; they have no time in which to be polite. Baron de Montesquieu polite busy time Friendship is an arrangement by which we undertake to exchange small favors for big ones. Baron de Montesquieu favors bigs friendship Man, as a physical being, is like other bodies governed by invariable laws. Baron de Montesquieu humanity law men Republics end through luxury; monarchies through poverty. Baron de Montesquieu republic luxury tyrants Republics are brought to their ends by luxury; monarchies by poverty. Baron de Montesquieu republic luxury poverty We ought to be very cautious in the prosecution of magic and heresy. The attempt to put down these two crimes may be extremely perilous to liberty, and may be the origin of a number of petty acts of tyranny if the legislator be not on his guard; for as such an accusation does not bear directly on the overt acts of a citizen, but refers to the idea we entertain of his character. Baron de Montesquieu character two ideas To lend money without interest, is certainly an action laudable and extremely good; but it is obvious, that it is only a counsel of religion, and not a civil law. Baron de Montesquieu lending law action
