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When a government lasts a long while, it deteriorates by insensible degrees. Republics end through luxury, monarchies through poverty.

Baron de Montesquieu

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Baron de Montesquieu
Poverty
Deteriorates
Lasts
Monarchies
Republics
Ends
Insensible
Government
Monarchy
Long
Republic
Luxury
Degrees

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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.
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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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I have read descriptions of Paradise that would make any sensible person stop wanting to go there.
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The less men think, the more they talk.
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An empire founded by war has to maintain itself by war.
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When the [law making] and [law enforcement] powers are united in the same person... there can be no liberty.
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Lunch kills half of Paris, supper the other half.
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The Christian religion is a stranger to mere despotic power. The mildness so frequently recommended in the Gospel is incompatible with the despotic rage.
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In bodies moved, the motion is received, increased, diminished, or lost, according to the relations of the quantity of matter and velocity each diversity is uniformity, each change is constancy.
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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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The power of divorce can be given only to those who feel the inconveniences of marriage, and who are sensible of the moment when it is for their interest to make them cease.
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If the triangles made a god, they would give him three sides.
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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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Certain kinds of foolishness are such that a greater foolishness would be better.
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Solemnity is the shield of idiots
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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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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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Do you think that God will punish them for not practicing a religion which he did not reveal to them?
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The less luxury there is in a republic, the more it is perfect.
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At our coming into the world we contract an immense debt to our country, which we can never discharge.
Baron de Montesquieu