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Raillery is a mode of speaking in favor of one's wit at the expense of one's better nature.

Baron de Montesquieu

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Baron de Montesquieu
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The prejudices of superstition are superior to all others, and have the strongest influence on the human mind.
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Solemnity is the shield of idiots
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Honor is unknown in despotic states.
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We must have constantly present in our minds the difference between independence and liberty. Liberty is a right of doing whatever the laws permit, and if a citizen could do what they forbid he would no longer be possessed of liberty.
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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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Men, who are rogues individually, are in the mass very honorable people.
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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
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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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I have always observed that to succeed in the world one should seem a fool, but be wise.
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Success in the majority of circumstances depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed.
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Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.
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Love of the republic in a democracy, is a love of the democracy love of the democracy is that of equality. Love of the democracy is likewise that of frugality.
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With truths of a certain kind, it is not enough to make them appear convincing: one must also make them felt. Of such kind are moral truths.
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Politics are a smooth file, which cuts gradually, and attains its end by slow progression.
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What cowardice it is to be dismayed by the happiness of others and devastated by there good fortune.
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An empire founded by war has to maintain itself by war.
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There is no one, says another, whom fortune does not visit once in his life but when she does not find him ready to receive her, she walks in at the door, and flies out at the window.
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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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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.
Baron de Montesquieu