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Mediocrity is a hand-rail.

Baron de Montesquieu

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Baron de Montesquieu
Confidence
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Mediocrity

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It is always the adventurous who accomplish great things.
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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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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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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.
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A fondness for reading changes the inevitable dull hours of our life into exquisite hours of delight.
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Solemnity is the shield of idiots
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Raillery is a mode of speaking in favor of one's wit at the expense of one's better nature.
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Vitam Impendere Vero (I consecrate my life to truth).
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When the savages of Louisiana wish to have fruit, they cut the tree at the bottom and gather the fruit. That is exactly a despotic government.
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Every man who has power is impelled to abuse it.
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Fain would I glide down a gentle river, but I am carried away by a torrent.
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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.
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Republics end through luxury monarchies through poverty.
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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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Men in excess of happiness or misery are equally inclined to severity. Witness conquerors and monks! It is mediocrity alone, and a mixture of prosperous and adverse fortune that inspire us with lenity and pity.
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Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.
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An injustice to one is a threat made to all
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Men should be bewailed at their birth, and not at their death.
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Luxury ruins republics poverty, monarchies.
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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.
Baron de Montesquieu