Tag: Charles de Montesquieu

In every government there are three sorts of power: the legislative; the executive in respect to things dependent on the law of nations; and the executive in regard to matters that depend on the civil law.

Charles de Montesquieu

To prevent this abuse, it is necessary that, by the arrangement of things, power shall stop power. A government may be so constituted, as no man shall be compelled to do things to which the law does not oblige him, nor forced to abstain from things which the law permits.

Charles de Montesquieu

Democratic and aristocratic states are not in their own nature free. Political liberty is to be found only in moderate governments; and even in these it is not always found. It is there only when there is no abuse of power. But constant experience shows us that every man who has power is inclined to abuse it; he goes until he finds limits. Is it not strange, though true, to say that virtue itself has need of limits?

Charles de Montesquieu

Horace and Aristotle told us of the virtues of their fathers, and the vices of their own time, and authors down through the centuries have told us the same. If they were right, men would now be bears.

Charles de Montesquieu

I have always observed that to succeed in the world one should appear like a fool but be wise.

Charles de Montesquieu

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

Charles de Montesquieu

Raillery is a mode of speaking in favor of one’s wit at the expense of one’s better nature.

Charles de Montesquieu

I have read descriptions of Paradise that would make any sensible person stop wanting to go there.

Charles de Montesquieu

There are only two cases in which war is just: first, in order to resist the aggression of an enemy, and second, in order to help an ally who has been attacked.

Charles de Montesquieu

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.

Charles de Montesquieu