Wherever I find envy I take a pleasure in provoking it: I always praise before an envious man those who make him grow pale. Baron de Montesquieu More Quotes by Baron de Montesquieu More Quotes From Baron de Montesquieu Mediocrity is a hand-rail. Baron de Montesquieu confidencemediocrityhands Nature is just to all mankind, and repays them for their industry. She renders them industrious by annexing rewards in proportion to their labor. Baron de Montesquieu proportionrewardsnature There is still another inconvenieney in conquests made by democracies; their government is ever odious to the conquered states. It is apparently monarchical, but in reality it is more oppressive than monarchy, as the experience of all ages and countries evinces. Baron de Montesquieu governmentcountryreality At our coming into the world we contract an immense debt to our country, which we can never discharge. Baron de Montesquieu debtcountryworld A rational army would run away. Baron de Montesquieu armyrunningwar The power of divorce can be given only to those who feel the inconveniences of marriage, and who are sensible of the moment when it is for their interest to make them cease. Baron de Montesquieu divorcegivenmoments Although born in a prosperous realm, we did not believe that its boundaries should limit our knowledge, and that the lore of the East should alone enlighten us. Baron de Montesquieu aunteastbelieve Vanity is as advantageous to a government as pride is dangerous. To be convinced of this we need only represent, on the one hand,the numberless benefits which result from vanity, as industry, the arts, fashions, politeness, and taste; and on the other, the infinite evils which spring from the pride of certain nations, a laziness, poverty, a total neglect of everything. Baron de Montesquieu fashionspringart One more organ or one less in our body would give us a different intelligence. In fact, all the established laws as to why our body is a certain way would be different if our body were not that way. Baron de Montesquieu bodylawgiving Love of the republic in a democracy, is a love of the democracy; love of the democracy is that of equality. Love of the democracy is likewise that of frugality. Baron de Montesquieu equalitydemocracy 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. Baron de Montesquieu arguingpeoplereligion If you would be holy, instruct your children, because all the good acts they perform will be imputed to you. Baron de Montesquieu holywould-bechildren When a government is arrived to that degree of corruption as to be incapable of reforming itself, it would not lose much by being new moulded. Baron de Montesquieu degreescorruptiongovernment Life was given to me as a favor, so I may abandon it when it is one no longer. Baron de Montesquieu givenfavorsmay The severity of the laws prevents their execution. Baron de Montesquieu executionphilosophicallaw If you run after wit, you will succeed in catching folly. Baron de Montesquieu catchingsucceedrunning As soon as man enters into a state of society he loses the sense of his weakness; equality ceases, and then commences the state of war. Baron de Montesquieu equalitymenwar The law of nations is naturally founded on this principle, that different nations ought in time of peace to do one another all the good they can, and in time of war as little injury as possible, without prejudicing their real interests. Baron de Montesquieu reallawwar Peace is a natural effect of trade. Baron de Montesquieu philosophicaltradenatural To love to read is to exchange hours of ennui for hours of delight. Baron de Montesquieu delightphilosophicalhours
