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

Quote by Charles De Montesquieu

Topics: Charles De Montesquieu Quotes

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

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

Peace is a natural effect of trade.

Peace is a natural effect of trade.

An author is a fool who, not content with having bored those who have lived...

An author is a fool who, not content with having bored those who have lived...

There is no one, says another, whom fortune does not visit once in his life;...

There is no one, says another, whom fortune does not visit once in his life;...

Liberty is the right to do what the law permits

Liberty is the right to do what the law permits

The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public...

The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public...

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.

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

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

I have always observed that to succeed in the world one should seem a fool,...

I have always observed that to succeed in the world one should seem a fool,...

False happiness renders men stern and proud, and that happiness is never communicated. True happiness...

False happiness renders men stern and proud, and that happiness is never communicated. True happiness...

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

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

Useless laws weaken necessary laws

Useless laws weaken necessary laws

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

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

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.

False happiness renders men stern and proud, and that happiness is never communicated. True happiness...

False happiness renders men stern and proud, and that happiness is never communicated. True happiness...

The less men think, the more they talk.

The less men think, the more they talk.

Laws undertake to punish only overt acts.

Laws undertake to punish only overt acts.

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.

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

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

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...