Montesquieu Short Quotes

25 Sourced Quotes

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You have to study a great deal to know a little.

Montesquieu
If triangles had a god, he would have three sides.

Montesquieu
Society is the union of men and not the men themselves.

Montesquieu
A man should be mourned at his birth, not at his death.

Montesquieu
Liberty is the right of doing whatever the laws permit.

Montesquieu
The English are busy; they don't have time to be polite.

Montesquieu
Happy the people whose annals are blank in history-books!

Montesquieu
Republics end through luxury; monarchies through poverty.

Montesquieu
Slowness is frequently the cause of much greater slowness.

Montesquieu
Great lords have their pleasures, but the people have fun.

Montesquieu
Oh, how empty is praise when it reflects back to its origin!

Montesquieu
The compass opened, if I may so express myself, the universe.

Montesquieu
The ancient books are for authors; the new ones, for readers.

Montesquieu
What orators lack in profundity, they will give you in length.

Montesquieu
Money is a sign which represents the value of all merchandise.

Montesquieu
Men should be bewailed at their birth, and not at their death.

Montesquieu
The less luxury there is in a republic, the more it is perfect.

Montesquieu
Vanity is as advantageous to a government as pride is dangerous.

Montesquieu
The history of commerce is that of the communication of the people.

Montesquieu
The laws do not take upon them to punish any other than overt acts.

Montesquieu
Republics come to an end by luxurious habits; monarchies by poverty.

Montesquieu
If the triangles were to make a God they would give him three sides.

Montesquieu
Men who have absolutely nothing, such as beggars, have many children.

Montesquieu
This punishment of death is the remedy, as it were, of a sick society.

Montesquieu
The society of women endangers men's morals and refines their manners.

Montesquieu
To enjoy reading is to transform wearisome hours into delightful ones.

Montesquieu
In most things success depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed.

Montesquieu
It is difficult for the united states to be all of equal power and extent.

Montesquieu
Royal authority is a great spring that should move easily and noiselessly.

Montesquieu
Fain would I glide down a gentle river, but I am carried away by a torrent.

Montesquieu