Find the best quotes, maxims and aphorisms of Charles de Montesquieu

Biography : French man of letters and political philosopher.
Born: 1689 - Died: 1755
Period:
18th century
17th century
Place of birth: France
France

Charles de Montesquieu - Quotes

If we only wanted to be happy, it would be easy; but we want to be happier than other people, and that is almost always difficult, since we think them happier than they are.
Charles de Montesquieu - Persian Letters /

The love of democracy is that of equality.
Charles de Montesquieu - The Spirit of the Laws /

So that power may not be abused, it is necessary that, through the way in which things are arranged, power may check power.
Charles de Montesquieu - The Spirit of the Laws /

power

It is a thousand times easier to do good than to do it well.
Charles de Montesquieu - The Spirit of the Laws /

good

I have ever held it as a maxim, never to do that through another, which it was possible for me to execute myself.
Charles de Montesquieu /

It is not the young people that degenerate they are not spoiled till those of mature age are already sunk into corruption.
Charles de Montesquieu /

To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.
Charles de Montesquieu /

An empire founded by war has to maintain itself by war.
Charles de Montesquieu /

Success in the majority of circumstances depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed.
Charles de Montesquieu /

Peace is a natural effect of trade.
Charles de Montesquieu /

I have never known any distress that an hour's reading did not relieve.
Charles de Montesquieu /

False happiness renders men stern and proud, and that happiness is never communicated. True happiness renders them kind and sensible, and that happiness is always shared.
Charles de Montesquieu /

happiness

The sublimity of administration consists in knowing the proper degree of power that should be exerted on different occasions.
Charles de Montesquieu /

The less men think, the more they talk.
Charles de Montesquieu /

to think

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

death

There is no nation so powerful, as the one that obeys its laws not from principals of fear or reason, but from passion.
Charles de Montesquieu /

We should weep for men at their birth, not at their death.
Charles de Montesquieu /

death

An author is a fool who, not content with boring those he lives with, insists on boring future generations.
Charles de Montesquieu /

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

success

Friendship is an arrangement by which we undertake to exchange small favors for big ones.
Charles de Montesquieu /

Charles de Montesquieu - Quotes

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