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34 Notable Quotes By Montesquieu

Famous As: Political Philosopher Who Gave the Doctrine of 'Separation of Powers'
Born On: January 18, 1689
Died On: February 10, 1755
Born In: La Brède, France
Died At Age: 66
Montesquieu was an eminent French literary scholar, political philosopher and lawyer who lived during the Enlightenment Era. He is renowned for articulating the theory of separation of powers. The same has been included in many constitutions across the globe. He is also accredited for securing the word ‘despotism’ in the political concordance. Some of his popular works include, ‘Lettres Persanes,’ ‘Mes Pensees,’ and ‘Memoirs and discourses at the Academy of Bordeaux’ amongst various others. We have rounded some enlightening and motivating quotes and sayings by Montesquieu, which have been excerpted from his writings, thoughts, works, letters and life. Following is a collection of notable quotes and thoughts by Charles De Montesquieu on wisdom, poverty, democracy, apathy, dangerous, liberty, rights, death, love, happiness, success etc.
I have never known any distress that an hour’s reading did not relieve.

I have never known any distress that an hour’s reading did not relieve.

Montesquieu
There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice.

There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice.

Montesquieu
Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.

Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.

Montesquieu
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.

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

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

Montesquieu
What unhappy beings men are! They constantly waver between false hopes and silly fears, and instead of relying on reason they create monsters to frighten themselves with, and phantoms which lead them astray.

What unhappy beings men are! They constantly waver between false hopes and silly fears, and instead of relying on reason they create monsters to frighten themselves with, and phantoms which lead them astray.

Montesquieu
Every man is capable of doing good to another, but to contribute to the happiness of an entire society is to become akin to the gods

Every man is capable of doing good to another, but to contribute to the happiness of an entire society is to become akin to the gods

Montesquieu
Nothing is a greater obstacle to our progress in knowledge, than a bad performance of a celebrated author; because, before we instruct we must begin with undeceiving.

Nothing is a greater obstacle to our progress in knowledge, than a bad performance of a celebrated author; because, before we instruct we must begin with undeceiving.

Montesquieu
It is not the young people that degenerate; they are not spoiled till those of maturer age are already sunk into corruption.

It is not the young people that degenerate; they are not spoiled till those of maturer age are already sunk into corruption.

Montesquieu
I have always observed that to succeed in the world one should appear like a fool but be wise.

I have always observed that to succeed in the world one should appear like a fool but be wise.

Montesquieu
We receive three educations, one from our parents, one from our school masters, and one from the world. The third contradicts all that the first two teach us.

We receive three educations, one from our parents, one from our school masters, and one from the world. The third contradicts all that the first two teach us.

Montesquieu
I can assure you that no kingdom has ever had as many civil wars as the kingdom of Christ.

I can assure you that no kingdom has ever had as many civil wars as the kingdom of Christ.

Montesquieu
...when the laws have ceased to be executed, as this can only come from the corruption of the republic, the state is already lost.

...when the laws have ceased to be executed, as this can only come from the corruption of the republic, the state is already lost.

Montesquieu
The Tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy
is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy.

The Tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy.

Montesquieu
Very good laws may be ill timed.

Very good laws may be ill timed.

Montesquieu
With truths of a certain kind, it is not enough to make them appear convincing: one must also make them felt. Of such kind are moral truths.

With truths of a certain kind, it is not enough to make them appear convincing: one must also make them felt. Of such kind are moral truths.

Montesquieu
Do you think that God will punish them for not practicing a religion which he did not reveal to them?

Do you think that God will punish them for not practicing a religion which he did not reveal to them?

Montesquieu
If triangles made a god, they would give him three sides.

If triangles made a god, they would give him three sides.

Montesquieu
The success of most things depends upon knowing how long it will take to succeed.

The success of most things depends upon knowing how long it will take to succeed.

Montesquieu
Mediocrity is a hand-rail.

Mediocrity is a hand-rail.

Montesquieu
A truly virtuous man would come to the aid of the most distant stranger as quickly as to his own friend. 
If men were perfectly virtuous, they wouldn’t have friends.

A truly virtuous man would come to the aid of the most distant stranger as quickly as to his own friend. If men were perfectly virtuous, they wouldn’t have friends.

Montesquieu
If only we wanted to be happy, it would be easy; but we want to be happier than other people, which is difficult, since we think them happier than they are.

If only we wanted to be happy, it would be easy; but we want to be happier than other people, which is difficult, since we think them happier than they are.

Montesquieu
One more organ or one less in our body would give us a different intelligence. In fact, all the established laws as to why our body is a certain way would be different if our body were not that way.

One more organ or one less in our body would give us a different intelligence. In fact, all the established laws as to why our body is a certain way would be different if our body were not that way.

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

I have never known any distress that an hour's reading did not relieve

Montesquieu
Countries are well cultivated, not as they are fertile, but as they are free.

Countries are well cultivated, not as they are fertile, but as they are free.

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

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

Montesquieu
Talent is a gift which God has given us secretly, and which we reveal without perceiving it.

Talent is a gift which God has given us secretly, and which we reveal without perceiving it.

Montesquieu
A conqueror, I say, can change the course of everything, and muffled tyranny is the first thing which is liable to violence.

A conqueror, I say, can change the course of everything, and muffled tyranny is the first thing which is liable to violence.

Montesquieu
I've never known any distress that an hour's reading didn't relieve.

I've never known any distress that an hour's reading didn't relieve.

Montesquieu
When the savages of Louisiana are desirous of fruit, they cut the tree to the root and gather the fruit. This is an emblem of despotic government.

When the savages of Louisiana are desirous of fruit, they cut the tree to the root and gather the fruit. This is an emblem of despotic government.

Montesquieu