--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is necessary from the very nature of…" description: "\"It is necessary from the very nature of things that power should be a check to power.\" — Baron de Montesquieu" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db6/baron-de-montesquieu-3012_checks_it-is-necessary-from-the-very-nature-of_1689713.png" --- # It is necessary from the very nature of things that power… ![“It is necessary from the very nature of things that power should be a check to power.” quote by Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db6/baron-de-montesquieu-3012_checks_it-is-necessary-from-the-very-nature-of_1689713.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db6/baron-de-montesquieu-3012_checks_it-is-necessary-from-the-very-nature-of_1689713.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db6/baron-de-montesquieu-3012_checks_it-is-necessary-from-the-very-nature-of_1689713.png) > “It is necessary from the very nature of things that power should be a check to power.” [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Power must be balanced by other power to prevent tyranny. **In simple terms:** Power needs checks. Key Takeaway Ensure mutual oversight. Themes politics law balance Mood cautious analytical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - government formation - constitutional design - corporate governance Key Concepts checks and balances separation of powers Questions to Reflect On - How can informal influence undermine formal checks? - What mechanisms best preserve balance? A Different Perspective Power can be concentrated despite formal checks. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) ## Related quotes > [Power should be a check on power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/power-should-be-a-check-on-power/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [We monsters are necessary to nature also.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-sade/we-monsters-are-necessary-to-nature-also/) [Marquis de Sade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-sade/) > [To become an able and successful man in any profession, three things are necessary, nature, study and practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/to-become-an-able-and-successful-man-in-any-profession-three-things/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [“Check for Power If the connection to the NAND-gate IC is correct, use a multimeter to measure the output voltage from the start/stop circuit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oyvind-nydal-dahl/check-for-power-if-the-connection-to-the-nand-gate-ic-is-correct-use/) [Oyvind Nydal Dahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oyvind-nydal-dahl/) > [Power ought to serve as a check to power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/power-ought-to-serve-as-a-check-to-power/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The ability to choose how you want to live, and how you want to be treated are the two things that will give you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hussein-nishah/the-ability-to-choose-how-you-want-to-live-and-how-you-want-to-be/) [Hussein Nishah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hussein-nishah/) > [There is a Power around you that knows and that understands all things. This Power works like the soil; it receives the seed of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/there-is-a-power-around-you-that-knows-and-that-understands-all/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [Order and system are nobler things than power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/order-and-system-are-nobler-things-than-power/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [Power is just using energy in a wise way to get things done. Power has been misinterpreted to mean getting my way on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-lesser/power-is-just-using-energy-in-a-wise-way-to-get-things-done-power-has/) [Elizabeth Lesser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-lesser/) > [Nobody says anything to me now when it comes to Japanese. They actually ask me things. I now have power!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seungri/nobody-says-anything-to-me-now-when-it-comes-to-japanese-they/) [Seungri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seungri/) > [In science we have to consider two things: power and circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-science-we-have-to-consider-two-things-power-and-circumstance/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Something I learned very early on in my career is that there are a lot of things that you do not have any power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlize-theron/something-i-learned-very-early-on-in-my-career-is-that-there-are-a/) [Charlize Theron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlize-theron/) > [“But of course names were secret things, full of power. And”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/but-of-course-names-were-secret-things-full-of-power-and/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Money can buy many things. Even power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-makarov/money-can-buy-many-things-even-power/) Vladimir Makarov > [Nearest to all things is that power which fashions their being. Next to us the grandest laws are constantly being executed. Next to us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/nearest-to-all-things-is-that-power-which-fashions-their-being-next/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## More 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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/when-the-savages-of-louisiana-wish-to-have-fruit-they-cut-the-tree-at/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/political-liberty-in-a-citizen-is-that-tranquillity-of-spirit-which/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [It is rare to find learned men who are clean, do not stink and have a sense of humour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/it-is-rare-to-find-learned-men-who-are-clean-do-not-stink-and-have-a/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/when-virtue-is-banished-ambition-invades-the-minds-of-those-who-are/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [Vitam Impendere Vero (I consecrate my life to truth).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/vitam-impendere-vero-i-consecrate-my-life-to-truth/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [A good writer does not write as people write, but as he writes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/a-good-writer-does-not-write-as-people-write-but-as-he-writes/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [A rational army would run away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/a-rational-army-would-run-away/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [Christianity stamped its character on jurisprudence; for empire has ever a connection with the priesthood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/christianity-stamped-its-character-on-jurisprudence-for-empire-has/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [Trade is the best cure for prejudice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/trade-is-the-best-cure-for-prejudice/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [The prejudices of superstition are superior to all others, and have the strongest influence on the human mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/the-prejudices-of-superstition-are-superior-to-all-others-and-have/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [Republics are brought to their ends by luxury; monarchies by poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/republics-are-brought-to-their-ends-by-luxury-monarchies-by-poverty/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [Laws, in their most general signification, are the necessary relations derived from the nature of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/laws-in-their-most-general-signification-are-the-necessary-relations/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [Politics are a smooth file, which cuts gradually, and attains its end by slow progression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/politics-are-a-smooth-file-which-cuts-gradually-and-attains-its-end/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/the-crime-against-nature-will-never-make-any-great-progress-in/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/when-a-government-is-arrived-to-that-degree-of-corruption-as-to-be/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) [Explore all 142 Baron de Montesquieu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) ## More Checks quotes > [Check out the albums, ... Check out the live performances. That's the reality of it all. Music is such an energizing thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mayall/check-out-the-albums-check-out-the-live-performances-that-s-the/) [John Mayall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mayall/) > [ When the fountains of government \[borrowing\] abundance began to dry up, when through lack of funds and the impossibility of negotiating fresh loans the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-t-flynn/when-the-fountains-of-government-borrowing-abundance-began-to-dry-up/) [John T. Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-t-flynn/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. A woman in Santa Barbara, California, sent a $40,000 check.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-abel/even-with-clothing-naked-animals-there-were-people-who-wanted-to-send/) [Alan Abel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-abel/) > [I gave birth to most of them MC's... So when it comes around to the month of May, Send me your royalty check for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxanne-shante/i-gave-birth-to-most-of-them-mc-s-so-when-it-comes-around-to-the/) Roxanne Shante > [I pay these niggas with a reality check…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-wayne/i-pay-these-niggas-with-a-reality-check/) [Lil Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-wayne/) > [Two things you need to know about taxes. They've extended the deadline to April 18, and when you write your check, just make it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/two-things-you-need-to-know-about-taxes-they-ve-extended-the-deadline/) [David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/) > [The first thing you ought to do is verify what I present. Just because I say it doesn't make it true. So check it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-first-thing-you-ought-to-do-is-verify-what-i-present-just-because/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [It's a constant man-ego-check going on in the streets, in this world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/it-s-a-constant-man-ego-check-going-on-in-the-streets-in-this-world/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [Well, a lot of our concerts do okay, and I know we still get royalty checks which still isn't that important, but again, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-johnston/well-a-lot-of-our-concerts-do-okay-and-i-know-we-still-get-royalty/) [Bruce Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-johnston/) > [The things of the world are ever rising and falling, and in perpetual change; and this change must be according to the will of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/the-things-of-the-world-are-ever-rising-and-falling-and-in-perpetual/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [If you find your feet dragging, check your path. You are probably on the wrong one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-toshio-sudo/if-you-find-your-feet-dragging-check-your-path-you-are-probably-on/) [Philip Toshio Sudo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-toshio-sudo/) > [The American people reject the idea of giving Washington a blank check to increase the debt limit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-roby/the-american-people-reject-the-idea-of-giving-washington-a-blank/) [Martha Roby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-roby/) > [I'm a little bit superstitious, and I think that just comes from playing hockey. I won't avoid the number thirteen. A big one for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-badge-dale/i-m-a-little-bit-superstitious-and-i-think-that-just-comes-from/) [James Badge Dale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-badge-dale/) > [A lot of independent films offer a harsh reality check.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/a-lot-of-independent-films-offer-a-harsh-reality-check/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [Seeds have the power to preserve species, to enhance cultural as well as genetic diversity, to counter economic monopoly and to check the advance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/seeds-have-the-power-to-preserve-species-to-enhance-cultural-as-well/) [Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/) Browse all 1,697 Checks quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is necessary from the very nature of things that power should be a check to power.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Baron de Montesquieu" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/it-is-necessary-from-the-very-nature-of-things-that-power-should-be-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Checks" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/it-is-necessary-from-the-very-nature-of-things-that-power-should-be-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db6/baron-de-montesquieu-3012_checks_it-is-necessary-from-the-very-nature-of_1689713.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db6/baron-de-montesquieu-3012_checks_it-is-necessary-from-the-very-nature-of_1689713.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db6/baron-de-montesquieu-3012_checks_it-is-necessary-from-the-very-nature-of_1689713.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is necessary from the very nature of things that power should be a check to power.” — Baron de Montesquieu", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Baron de Montesquieu", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is necessary from the very...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/it-is-necessary-from-the-very-nature-of-things-that-power-should-be-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/it-is-necessary-from-the-very-nature-of-things-that-power-should-be-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```