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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
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Monarchies
Republics
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Insensible
Government
Monarchy
Long
Republic
Luxury
Degrees

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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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As men are affected in all ages by the same passions, the occasions which bring about great changes are different, but the causes are always the same.
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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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Raillery is a mode of speaking in favor of one's wit at the expense of one's better nature.
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At our coming into the world we contract an immense debt to our country, which we can never discharge.
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A rational army would run away.
Baron de Montesquieu
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Every man who has power is impelled to abuse it.
Baron de Montesquieu
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Man is a social animal formed to please in society.
Baron de Montesquieu
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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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An author is a fool who, not content with boring those he lives with, insists on boring future generations.
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Success in the majority of circumstances depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed.
Baron de Montesquieu
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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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Sometimes a man who deserves to be looked upon because he is a fool is despised only because he is a lawyer.
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Great commanders write their actions with simplicity because they receive more glory from facts than from words.
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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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
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...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
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I never listen to calumnies, because if they are untrue I run the risk of being deceived, and if they be true, of hating persons not worth thinking about.
Baron de Montesquieu
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That anyone who possesses power has a tendency to abuse it is an eternal truth. They tend to go as far as the barriers will allow.
Baron de Montesquieu