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

If I knew something that would serve my country but would harm mankind, I would...

If I knew something that would serve my country but would harm mankind, I would...

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

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

The less men think, the more they talk.

The less men think, the more they talk.

Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.

Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.

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

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

Peace is a natural effect of trade.

Peace is a natural effect of trade.

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.

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...

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;...

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.

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.

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.

The reason the Romans built their great paved highways was because they had such inconvenient...

The reason the Romans built their great paved highways was because they had such inconvenient...

Useless laws weaken necessary laws

Useless laws weaken necessary laws

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...

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

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

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...

Vietnam was the first war ever fought without any censorship. Without censorship, things can get...

Vietnam was the first war ever fought without any censorship. Without censorship, things can get...

There are few minds to which tyranny is not delightful

There are few minds to which tyranny is not delightful

A tyrant is most tyrant to himself

A tyrant is most tyrant to himself