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As virtue is necessary in a republic, and honor in a monarchy, fear is what is required in a despotism. As for virtue, it is not at all necessary, and honor would be dangerous there.

Baron de Montesquieu

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Baron de Montesquieu
Fear
Despotism
Political
Monarchy
Would
Required
Republic
Necessary
Honor
Dangerous
Virtue

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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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Wonderful maxim: not to talk of things any more after they are done.
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An author is a fool who, not content with boring those he lives with, insists on boring future generations.
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Political liberty is to be found only in moderate governments.
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The wickedness of mankind makes it necessary for the law to suppose them better than they really are.
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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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There is as yet no liberty if the power of judging be not separated from legislative power and the executrix
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Power ought to serve as a check to power.
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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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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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Success in the majority of circumstances depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed.
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Those who have few affairs to attend to are great speakers. The less men think, the more they talk.
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There is something in animals beside the power of motion. They are not machines they feel.
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I have always observed that to succeed in the world one should seem a fool, but be wise.
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I have never known any distress that an hour's reading did not relieve.
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Trade is the best cure for prejudice.
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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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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.
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There should be weeping at a man's birth, not at his death.
Baron de Montesquieu