To lend money without interest, is certainly an action laudable and extremely good; but it is obvious, that it is only a counsel of religion, and not a civil law. — 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
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
It is rare to find learned men who are clean, do not stink and have a sense of humour. — Baron de Montesquieu Copy Share
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
Christianity stamped its character on jurisprudence; for empire has ever a connection with the priesthood. — Baron de Montesquieu Copy Share
The prejudices of superstition are superior to all others, and have the strongest influence on the human mind. — Baron de Montesquieu Copy Share
Republics are brought to their ends by luxury; monarchies by poverty. — Baron de Montesquieu Copy Share
Laws, in their most general signification, are the necessary relations derived from the nature of things. — Baron de Montesquieu Copy Share
Politics are a smooth file, which cuts gradually, and attains its end by slow progression. — Baron de Montesquieu Copy Share
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 Copy Share
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 Copy Share
