Montesquieu Quotes

Montesquieu

Profession : Philosopher

Birth : January 18, 1689

Religious wars are not caused by the fact that there is more than one religion, but by the spirit of intolerance... the spread of which can only be regarded as the total eclipse of human reason.

Montesquieu

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

Montesquieu

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

Montesquieu

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

Montesquieu

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

Montesquieu

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

Montesquieu

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

Montesquieu

Although born in a prosperous realm, we did not believe that its boundaries should limit our knowledge, and that the lore of the East should alone enlighten us.

Montesquieu

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

Montesquieu

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

Montesquieu

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

Montesquieu

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.

Montesquieu

To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.

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.

Montesquieu

Power ought to serve as a check to power.

Montesquieu

We should weep for men at their birth, not at their death.

Montesquieu

Not to be loved is a misfortune, but it is an insult to be loved no longer.

Montesquieu

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

Montesquieu

Luxury ruins republics; poverty, monarchies.

Montesquieu

No kingdom has shed more blood than the kingdom of Christ.

Montesquieu