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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Peace is a natural effect of trade.

Peace is a natural effect of trade.

An empire founded by war has to maintain itself by war.

An empire founded by war has to maintain itself by war.

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...

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...

Laws undertake to punish only overt acts

Laws undertake to punish only overt acts

It is not the young people that degenerate; they are not spoiled till those of...

It is not the young people that degenerate; they are not spoiled till those of...

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.

Liberty is the right to do what the law permits

Liberty is the right to do what the law permits

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

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

The severity of the laws prevents their execution.

The severity of the laws prevents their execution.

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.

Happiness is right around the corner. One day you will find someone who will treat...

Happiness is right around the corner. One day you will find someone who will treat...

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

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

Author: A fool who, not content with having bored those who have lived with him,...

Author: A fool who, not content with having bored those who have lived with him,...

Everywhere I go I'm asked if I think the university stifles writers. My opinion is...

Everywhere I go I'm asked if I think the university stifles writers. My opinion is...

Writers seldom choose as friends those self-contained characters who are never in trouble, never unhappy...

Writers seldom choose as friends those self-contained characters who are never in trouble, never unhappy...