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

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

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

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;...

Useless laws weaken necessary laws

Useless laws weaken necessary laws

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

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

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...

Liberty is the right to do what the law permits.

Liberty is the right to do what the law permits.

If one only wished to be happy, this could be easily accomplished; but we wish...

If one only wished to be happy, this could be easily accomplished; but we wish...

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.

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.

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

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

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...

What orators lack in depth they make up for in length.

What orators lack in depth they make up for in length.

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,...

The less men think, the more they talk.

The less men think, the more they talk.

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.

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...

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

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

The only service a friend can really render is to keep your courage by holding...

The only service a friend can really render is to keep your courage by holding...

We read that we ought to forgive our enemies; but we do not read that...

We read that we ought to forgive our enemies; but we do not read that...