Baron de Montesquieu Quotes

The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy.

To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.

Liberty is the right to do what the law permits.

Power should be a check to power.

The spirit of moderation should also be the spirit of the lawgiver.

In order to have liberty, it is necessary that the powers of the government be separated.

An empire founded by war has to maintain itself by war.

There is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law and in the name of justice.

Laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through.

A nation is free when its laws protect the rights of its citizens.

The love of democracy is that of equality.

It is not the young people that degenerate; they are not spoiled until those of mature age are already sunk into corruption.

The deterioration of a government begins almost always by the decay of its principles.

Every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.

Slavery, properly so called, is the establishment of a right which gives to one man such a power over another as renders him absolute master of his life and fortune.

False happiness renders men stern and proud, and that happiness is never communicated.

The world of commerce is now universal, and so must be that of the legislator.

Baron de Montesquieu Quotes part 2

Laws that do not punish what they prohibit are useless.

The success of most things depends upon knowing how long it will take to succeed.

The greater the obstacles to be overcome, the more glorious the triumph.

To love to read is to exchange hours of ennui for hours of delight.

To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.

Laws should be clear, uniform, and precise.

False values prevail in the society of lawlessness.

The public interest depends on private virtues.

An empire founded by war has to maintain itself by war.

There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice.

A rational state can only exist when the people are inclined toward the same principles.

There is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law and in the name of justice.

It is not the young people that degenerate; they are not spoiled till those of mature age are already sunk into corruption.

The deterioration of a government begins almost always by the decay of its principles.

Every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.

Slavery, properly so called, is the establishment of a right which gives to one man such a power over another as renders him absolute master of his life and fortune.

False happiness renders men stern and proud, and that happiness is never communicated.

Natural liberty is the right which nature gives to all mankind of disposing of their persons and property after the manner they judge most convenient to their happiness.

The executive power in a government is the one with the most inherent strength.

Laws should be simple and clear, equal for all citizens, and adapted to the people for whom they are made.

A balanced government is one where the legislative, executive, and judiciary powers are separate and independent.

The laws ought to be so framed as to secure the safety of the people, their liberty, and their property.

In a democratic republic, the legislative power is preserved separate from the executive and judicial powers.

The political liberty of the subject is a tranquility of mind arising from the opinion each person has of his safety.

The three powers should be separated to prevent them from becoming tyrannical.

The only way to ensure liberty is to divide the governing power.

Where the conviction of innocence is enough, it is dangerous to have too much indulgence for guilty persons.

In a well-ordered monarchy, the prince’s great concern is to preserve his authority.

In a republic, the glory of the citizens is liberty.

The people fight for their own liberty; the nobility fight for the liberty of the people.

Laws should be like a network, not catching the flies and letting the hornets pass.

It is not the quantity, but the quality of books that makes reading beneficial.

The laws of education should be the same for all citizens, as everyone has a right to them.