What orators lack in depth, they make up to you in length.
—Montesquieu
The sacred books of the ancient Persians say: If you would be holy instruct your children, because all the good acts they perform will be imputed to you.
—Montesquieu
Topics: Parents
As virtue is necessary in a republic, and honor in a monarchy, fear is what is required in a despotism.—As for virtue, it is not at all necessary, and honor would be dangerous there.
—Montesquieu
Too austere a philosophy makes few wise men; too rigorous politics, few good subjects; too hard a religion, few persons whose devotion is of long continuance.
—Montesquieu
The culminating point of administration is to know well how much power, great or small, we ought to use in all circumstances.
—Montesquieu
Topics: Government
Vanity is as advantageous to a government, as pride is dangerous.
—Montesquieu
Success in the majority of circumstances depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed.
—Montesquieu
Topics: Perseverance, Resolve, Time, Success, Time Management, Endurance
The love of democracy is that of equality.
—Montesquieu
Topics: Democracy
Each citizen contributes to the revenues of the State a portion of his property in order that his tenure of the rest may be secure.
—Montesquieu
Topics: Taxes
There are bad examples that are worse than crimes; and more states have perished from the violation of morality than from the violation of law.
—Montesquieu
Topics: Example
But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.
—Montesquieu
The spirit of politeness is a desire to bring about by our words and manners, that others may be pleased with us and with themselves.
—Montesquieu
Political liberty is to be found only in moderate governments.
—Montesquieu
Topics: Liberty
If one only wished to be happy, this could be easily accomplished; but we wish to be happier than other people, and this is always difficult, for we believe others to be happier than they are.
—Montesquieu
Topics: Reality, Happiness, Comparisons, Opportunities
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Francois-Rene de Chateaubriand French Writer, Statesman
Denis Diderot French Philosopher, Writer
Jean-Jacques Rousseau French Philosopher
Voltaire French Philosopher, Author
Alexis de Tocqueville French Historian, Political Scientist
Immanuel Kant Prussian German Philosopher
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz German Philosopher, Mathematician
Rene Descartes French Mathematician, Philosopher
John Locke English Philosopher
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel German Philosopher