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It is necessary from the very nature of things that power should be a check to power.

Baron de Montesquieu

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Baron de Montesquieu
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More quotes by Baron de Montesquieu

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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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Every man who has power is impelled to abuse it.
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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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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.
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The less luxury there is in a republic, the more it is perfect.
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An injustice committed against anyone is a threat to everyone.
Baron de Montesquieu
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Knowledge humanizes mankind, and reason inclines to mildness but prejudices eradicate every tender disposition.
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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.
Baron de Montesquieu
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The sublimity of administration consists in knowing the proper degree of power that should be exerted on different occasions.
Baron de Montesquieu
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Trade is the best cure for prejudice.
Baron de Montesquieu
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The severity of the laws prevents their execution.
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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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The incomparable stupidity of life teaches us to love our parents divine philosophy teaches us to forgive them.
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Democracy has two excesses to avoid: the spirit of inequality, which leads to an aristocracy, or to the government of a single individual and the spirit of extreme equality, which conducts it to despotism, as the despotism of a single individual finishes by conquest.
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An injustice to one is a threat made to all
Baron de Montesquieu
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A fondness for reading changes the inevitable dull hours of our life into exquisite hours of delight.
Baron de Montesquieu
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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.
Baron de Montesquieu
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The Ottoman Empire whose sick body was not supported by a mild and regular diet, but by a powerful treatment, which continually exhausted it.
Baron de Montesquieu
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In the matter of dress one should always keep below one's ability.
Baron de Montesquieu
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I shall be obliged to wander to the right and to the left, that I may investigate and discover the truth.
Baron de Montesquieu