Democracy has two excesses to avoid: the spirit of inequality, which leads to an aristocracy, or to the government of a single individual; and the spirit of extreme equality, which conducts it to despotism, as the despotism of a single… — Baron de Montesquieu Copy Share Image
The spirit of commerce is frugality, economy, moderation, labor, ponderance, tranquillity, order, and rule. So long as this spirit subsides, the riches it produces have no bad effect. The mischief is when excessive wealth destroys the spirit of commerce, then… — Baron de Montesquieu Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
It is rare to find learned men who are clean, do not stink and have a sense of humour. — Baron de Montesquieu Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
A good writer does not write as people write, but as he writes. — Baron de Montesquieu Copy Share Image
Christianity stamped its character on jurisprudence; for empire has ever a connection with the priesthood. — Baron de Montesquieu Copy Share Image
The prejudices of superstition are superior to all others, and have the strongest influence on the human mind. — Baron de Montesquieu Copy Share Image
Republics are brought to their ends by luxury; monarchies by poverty. — Baron de Montesquieu Copy Share Image
Laws, in their most general signification, are the necessary relations derived from the nature of things. — Baron de Montesquieu Copy Share Image
