What unhappy beings men are! They constantly waver between false hopes and silly fears, and instead of relying on reason they create monsters to frighten themselves with, and phantoms which lead them astray. Baron de Montesquieu More Quotes by Baron de Montesquieu More Quotes From Baron de Montesquieu Wonderful maxim: not to talk of things any more after they are done. Baron de Montesquieu done acceptance wonderful It is clear that in a monarchy, where he who commands the exceution of the laws generally thinks himself above them, there is lessneed of virtue than in a popular government, where the person entrusted with the execution of the laws is sensible of his being subject to their direction. Baron de Montesquieu government law thinking With truths of a certain kind, it is not enough to make them appear convincing: one must also make them felt. Of such kind are moral truths. Baron de Montesquieu moral kind enough I have ever held it as a maxim never to do that through another which it was impossible for me to execute myself Baron de Montesquieu maxims impossible Virtue in a republic is the love of one's country, that is the love of equality. Baron de Montesquieu republic virtue country They who assert that a blind fatality produced the various effects we behold in this world talk very absurdly; for can anything be more unreasonable than to pretend that a blind fatality could be productive of intelligent beings. Baron de Montesquieu blind intelligent world Liberty itself has appeared intolerable to those nations who have not been accustomed to enjoy it. Baron de Montesquieu enjoy liberty government You have to study a great deal to know a little. Baron de Montesquieu learning study littles I shall be obliged to wander to the right and to the left, that I may investigate and discover the truth. Baron de Montesquieu obliged wander may An injustice to one is a threat made to all Baron de Montesquieu threat injustice made I like peasants-they are not sophisticated enough to reason speciously. Baron de Montesquieu sophisticated enough reason Men, who are rogues individually, are in the mass very honorable people. Baron de Montesquieu teamwork men people The alms given to a naked man in the street do not fulfil the obligations of the state, which owes to every citizen a certain subsistence, a proper nourishment, convenient clothing, and a kind of life not incompatible with health. Baron de Montesquieu naked citizens men A love of the republic in a democracy is a love of the democracy, as the latter is that of equality. A love of the democracy is likewise that of frugality. Since every individual ought here to enjoy the same happiness, and the same advantages, they should consequently taste the same pleasures and form the same hopes, which cannot be expected but from a general frugality. Baron de Montesquieu republic democracy taste There is only one thing that can form a bond between men, and that is gratitude... we cannot give someone else greater power over us than we have ourselves. Baron de Montesquieu gratitude ties men Do you think that God will punish them for not practicing a religion which he did not reveal to them? Baron de Montesquieu gods-will religion thinking It is always the adventurous who accomplish great things. Baron de Montesquieu adventurous accomplish adventure When the savages of Louisiana wish to have fruit, they cut the tree at the bottom and gather the fruit. That is exactly a despotic government. Baron de Montesquieu cutting government tree An empire founded by war has to maintain itself by war. Baron de Montesquieu empires war peace Never create by law what can be accomplished by morality. Baron de Montesquieu morality law courage
