Quote

Knowledge humanizes mankind, and reason inclines to mildness but prejudices eradicate every tender disposition.

Baron de Montesquieu

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Baron de Montesquieu
Every
Incline
Prejudices
Tender
Disposition
Prejudice
Humanizes
Mankind
Inclines
Knowledge
Mildness
Reason
Eradicate

More quotes by Baron de Montesquieu

Image
What unhappy beings men are! They constantly waver between false hopes and silly fears, and instead of relying on reason they create monsters to frighten themselves with, and phantoms which lead them astray.
Baron de Montesquieu
Image
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
Image
There is still another inconvenieney in conquests made by democracies their government is ever odious to the conquered states. It is apparently monarchical, but in reality it is more oppressive than monarchy, as the experience of all ages and countries evinces.
Baron de Montesquieu
Image
...when the laws have ceased to be executed, as this can only come from the corruption of the republic, the state is already lost.
Baron de Montesquieu
Image
A fondness for reading changes the inevitable dull hours of our life into exquisite hours of delight.
Baron de Montesquieu
Image
Those who have few affairs to attend to are great speakers. The less men think, the more they talk.
Baron de Montesquieu
Image
Laws undertake to punish only overt acts.
Baron de Montesquieu
Image
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
Image
Life was given to me as a favor, so I may abandon it when it is one no longer.
Baron de Montesquieu
Image
What cowardice it is to be dismayed by the happiness of others and devastated by there good fortune.
Baron de Montesquieu
Image
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.
Baron de Montesquieu
Image
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
Image
In the matter of dress one should always keep below one's ability.
Baron de Montesquieu
Image
Raillery is a mode of speaking in favor of one's wit at the expense of one's better nature.
Baron de Montesquieu
Image
A nation may lose its liberties in a day and not miss them in a century.
Baron de Montesquieu
Image
Men should be bewailed at their birth, and not at their death.
Baron de Montesquieu
Image
A rational army would run away.
Baron de Montesquieu
Image
Great commanders write their actions with simplicity because they receive more glory from facts than from words.
Baron de Montesquieu
Image
Sometimes a man who deserves to be looked upon because he is a fool is despised only because he is a lawyer.
Baron de Montesquieu
Image
Virtue in a republic is the love of one's country, that is the love of equality.
Baron de Montesquieu