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

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.

Countries are well cultivated, not as they are fertile, but as they are free.

Countries are well cultivated, not as they are fertile, but as they are free.

Useless laws weaken necessary laws

Useless laws weaken necessary laws

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...

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.

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...

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.

Peace is a natural effect of trade.

Peace is a natural effect of trade.

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

Liberty is the right to do what the law permits.

Liberty is the right to do what the law permits.

Lunch kills half of Paris, supper the other half.

Lunch kills half of Paris, supper the other half.

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...

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...

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

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

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

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