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.

Quote by Charles De Montesquieu

Topics: Happiness Quotes

In the infancy of societies, the chiefs of state shape its institutions; later the institutions...

In the infancy of societies, the chiefs of state shape its institutions; later the institutions...

The best example of democracy I can recall is five wolves sitting down to dinner...

The best example of democracy I can recall is five wolves sitting down to dinner...

Laws undertake to punish only overt acts

Laws undertake to punish only overt acts

Books, like friends, should be few and well chosen.

Books, like friends, should be few and well chosen.

Luxury ruins republics; poverty, monarchies.

Luxury ruins republics; poverty, monarchies.

It is always the adventurers who do great things, not the sovereigns of great empires.

It is always the adventurers who do great things, not the sovereigns of great empires.

There is no nation so powerful, as the one that obeys its laws not from...

There is no nation so powerful, as the one that obeys its laws not from...

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

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

To love to read is to exchange hours of ennui for hours of delight.

To love to read is to exchange hours of ennui for hours of delight.

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

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

To love to read is to exchange hours of ennui for hours of delight.

To love to read is to exchange hours of ennui for hours of delight.

Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.

Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.

Peace is a natural effect of trade.

Peace is a natural effect of trade.

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

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

There is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law...

There is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law...

If we only wanted to be happy, it would be easy; but we want to...

If we only wanted to be happy, it would be easy; but we want to...

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

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

The sublimity of administration consists in knowing the proper degree of power that should be...

The sublimity of administration consists in knowing the proper degree of power that should be...

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.

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

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