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Laws undertake to punish only overt acts.

Baron de Montesquieu

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Baron de Montesquieu
Laws
Law
Overt
Undertake
Punish
Acts

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Honor sets all the parts of the body politic in motion, and by its very action connects them thus each individual advances the public good, while he only thinks of promoting his own interest.
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Study has been for me the sovereign remedy against all the disappointments of life. I have never known any trouble that an hour's reading would not dissipate.
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When a government lasts a long while, it deteriorates by insensible degrees. Republics end through luxury, monarchies through poverty.
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There is hardly any grief that an hour's reading will not dissipate.
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There is as yet no liberty if the power of judging be not separated from legislative power and the executrix
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It is always the adventurous who accomplish great things.
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When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty because apprehensions may arise, lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws, to execute them in a tyrannical manner.
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Human laws made to direct the will ought to give precepts, and not counsels.
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Nature is just to all mankind, and repays them for their industry. She renders them industrious by annexing rewards in proportion to their labor.
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As men are affected in all ages by the same passions, the occasions which bring about great changes are different, but the causes are always the same.
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Vitam Impendere Vero (I consecrate my life to truth).
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Life was given to me as a favor, so I may abandon it when it is one no longer.
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When a government is arrived to that degree of corruption as to be incapable of reforming itself, it would not lose much by being new moulded.
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If I knew something that would serve my country but would harm mankind, I would never reveal it for I am a citizen of humanity first and by necessity, and a citizen of France second, and only by accident
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Knowledge humanizes mankind, and reason inclines to mildness but prejudices eradicate every tender disposition.
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At our coming into the world we contract an immense debt to our country, which we can never discharge.
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An injustice committed against anyone is a threat to everyone.
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Love of the republic in a democracy, is a love of the democracy love of the democracy is that of equality. Love of the democracy is likewise that of frugality.
Baron de Montesquieu
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Luxury ruins republics poverty, monarchies.
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I have read descriptions of Paradise that would make any sensible person stop wanting to go there.
Baron de Montesquieu