Share
×
Inspirational Quotes
Authors
Professions
Topics
Tags
Quote
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
Baron de Montesquieu
Share
Change background
T
T
T
Change font
Original
TAGS & TOPICS
Baron de Montesquieu
Knew
Necessity
Humanity
Accidents
Firsts
France
First
Harm
Citizenship
Country
Serve
Reveal
Something
Citizens
Patriotism
Never
Mankind
Accident
Would
Second
Citizen
More quotes by Baron de Montesquieu
When a government lasts a long while, it deteriorates by insensible degrees. Republics end through luxury, monarchies through poverty.
Baron de Montesquieu
Lunch kills half of Paris, supper the other half.
Baron de Montesquieu
The less luxury there is in a republic, the more it is perfect.
Baron de Montesquieu
If the triangles made a god, they would give him three sides.
Baron de Montesquieu
A good writer does not write as people write, but as he writes.
Baron de Montesquieu
I suffer from the disease of writing books and being ashamed of them when they are finished.
Baron de Montesquieu
Raillery is a mode of speaking in favor of one's wit at the expense of one's better nature.
Baron de Montesquieu
It is clear that in a monarchy, where he who commands the exceution of the laws generally thinks himself above them, there is lessneed of virtue than in a popular government, where the person entrusted with the execution of the laws is sensible of his being subject to their direction.
Baron de Montesquieu
The wickedness of mankind makes it necessary for the law to suppose them better than they really are.
Baron de Montesquieu
To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.
Baron de Montesquieu
Republics come to an end by luxurious habits monarchies by poverty.
Baron de Montesquieu
Power ought to serve as a check to power.
Baron de Montesquieu
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
There is something in animals beside the power of motion. They are not machines they feel.
Baron de Montesquieu
At our coming into the world we contract an immense debt to our country, which we can never discharge.
Baron de Montesquieu
Virtue in a republic is the love of one's country, that is the love of equality.
Baron de Montesquieu
Success in the majority of circumstances depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed.
Baron de Montesquieu
I have ever held it as a maxim never to do that through another which it was impossible for me to execute myself
Baron de Montesquieu
An empire founded by war has to maintain itself by war.
Baron de Montesquieu
The power of divorce can be given only to those who feel the inconveniences of marriage, and who are sensible of the moment when it is for their interest to make them cease.
Baron de Montesquieu
