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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

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Baron de Montesquieu
Even
Limits
Every
Prove
Would
Goes
Impelled
Men
Virtue
Proves
Experience
Pulled
Power
Till
Need
Abuse
Needs
Constantly

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Nature is just to all mankind, and repays them for their industry. She renders them industrious by annexing rewards in proportion to their labor.
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The spirit of commerce... renders every man willing to live on his own property...& prevents the growth of luxury.
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Virtue in a republic is the love of one's country, that is the love of equality.
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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.
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The less luxury there is in a republic, the more it is perfect.
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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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Life was given to me as a favor, so I may abandon it when it is one no longer.
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I suffer from the disease of writing books and being ashamed of them when they are finished.
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To love to read is to exchange hours of ennui for hours of delight.
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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.
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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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A fondness for reading changes the inevitable dull hours of our life into exquisite hours of delight.
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You have to study a great deal to know a little.
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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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Political liberty in a citizen is that tranquillity of spirit which comes from the opinion each one has of his security, and in order for him to have this liberty the government must be such that one citizen cannot fear another citizen.
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Solemnity is the shield of idiots
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Vitam Impendere Vero (I consecrate my life to truth).
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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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Raillery is a mode of speaking in favor of one's wit at the expense of one's better nature.
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When one wants to change manners and customs, one should not do so by changing the laws.
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