Country Quotes by Baron de Montesquieu

When the savages of Louisiana wish to have fruit, they cut the tree at the bottom and gather the fruit. That is exactly a…

— Baron de Montesquieu

Political liberty in a citizen is that tranquillity of spirit which comes from the opinion each one has of his security, and in order…

— Baron de Montesquieu

It is rare to find learned men who are clean, do not stink and have a sense of humour.

— Baron de Montesquieu

When virtue is banished, ambition invades the minds of those who are disposed to receive it and avarice possesses the whole community.

— Baron de Montesquieu

Vitam Impendere Vero (I consecrate my life to truth).

— Baron de Montesquieu

A good writer does not write as people write, but as he writes.

— Baron de Montesquieu

A rational army would run away.

— Baron de Montesquieu

Christianity stamped its character on jurisprudence; for empire has ever a connection with the priesthood.

— Baron de Montesquieu

Trade is the best cure for prejudice.

— Baron de Montesquieu

The prejudices of superstition are superior to all others, and have the strongest influence on the human mind.

— Baron de Montesquieu

Republics are brought to their ends by luxury; monarchies by poverty.

— Baron de Montesquieu

Laws, in their most general signification, are the necessary relations derived from the nature of things.

— Baron de Montesquieu

Politics are a smooth file, which cuts gradually, and attains its end by slow progression.

— Baron de Montesquieu

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

When a government is arrived to that degree of corruption as to be incapable of reforming itself, it would not lose much by being…

— Baron de Montesquieu