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In the state of nature... all men are born equal, but they cannot continue in this equality. Society makes them lose it, and they recover it only by the protection of the law.

Baron de Montesquieu

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Baron de Montesquieu
Cannot
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Lunch kills half of Paris, supper the other half.
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A rational army would run away.
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Experience constantly proves that every man who has power is impelled to abuse it he goes on till he is pulled up by some limits. Who would say it! virtue even has need of limits.
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Each particular society begins to feel its strength, whence arises a state of war between different nations.
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In republican governments, men are all equal equal they are also in despotic governments: in the former, because they are everything in the latter, because they are nothing.
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When the body of the people is possessed of the supreme power, it is called a democracy.
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Slowness is frequently the cause of much greater slowness.
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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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There is still another inconvenieney in conquests made by democracies their government is ever odious to the conquered states. It is apparently monarchical, but in reality it is more oppressive than monarchy, as the experience of all ages and countries evinces.
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To love to read is to exchange hours of ennui for hours of delight.
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Knowledge humanizes mankind, and reason inclines to mildness but prejudices eradicate every tender disposition.
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That anyone who possesses power has a tendency to abuse it is an eternal truth. They tend to go as far as the barriers will allow.
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In the matter of dress one should always keep below one's ability.
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Europe is a state with several provinces
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Solemnity is the shield of idiots
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The Christian religion is a stranger to mere despotic power. The mildness so frequently recommended in the Gospel is incompatible with the despotic rage.
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It is not the young people that degenerate they are not spoiled till those of mature age are already sunk into corruption.
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Man is a social animal formed to please in society.
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...when the laws have ceased to be executed, as this can only come from the corruption of the republic, the state is already lost.
Baron de Montesquieu
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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.
Baron de Montesquieu