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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

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Baron de Montesquieu
Obliged
Wander
Discover
Shall
Left
Truth
May
Right
Investigate

More quotes by Baron de Montesquieu

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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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Certain kinds of foolishness are such that a greater foolishness would be better.
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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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An injustice to one is a threat made to all
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The sublimity of administration consists in knowing the proper degree of power that should be exerted on different occasions.
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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
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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.
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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Lunch kills half of Paris, supper the other half.
Baron de Montesquieu
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The prejudices of superstition are superior to all others, and have the strongest influence on the human mind.
Baron de Montesquieu
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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.
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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Slowness is frequently the cause of much greater slowness.
Baron de Montesquieu
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I have ever held it as a maxim never to do that through another which it was impossible for me to execute myself
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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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Politics are a smooth file, which cuts gradually, and attains its end by slow progression.
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When the [law making] and [law enforcement] powers are united in the same person... there can be no liberty.
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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Power ought to serve as a check to power.
Baron de Montesquieu
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Laws undertake to punish only overt acts.
Baron de Montesquieu