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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

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Baron de Montesquieu
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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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When the body of the people is possessed of the supreme power, it is called a democracy.
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If the triangles made a god, they would give him three sides.
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Laws undertake to punish only overt acts.
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An empire founded by war has to maintain itself by war.
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Power ought to serve as a check to power.
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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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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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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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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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The spirit of commerce... renders every man willing to live on his own property...& prevents the growth of luxury.
Baron de Montesquieu
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There is a very good saying that if triangles invented a god, they would make him three-sided.
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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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...when the laws have ceased to be executed, as this can only come from the corruption of the republic, the state is already lost.
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Great commanders write their actions with simplicity because they receive more glory from facts than from words.
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We ought to be very cautious and circumspect in the prosecution of magic and heresy. The attempt to put down these two crimes may be extremely perilous to liberty.
Baron de Montesquieu
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Republics end through luxury monarchies through poverty.
Baron de Montesquieu
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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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The false notion of miracles comes of our vanity, which makes us believe we are important enough for the Supreme Being to upset nature on our behalf.
Baron de Montesquieu
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Wonderful maxim: not to talk of things any more after they are done.
Baron de Montesquieu