There is no one, says another, whom fortune does not visit once in his life; but when she does not find him ready to receive her, she walks in at the door, and flies out at the window.

Quote by Charles De Montesquieu

Topics: Charles De Montesquieu Quotes

The spirit of moderation should also be the spirit of the lawgiver.

The spirit of moderation should also be the spirit of the lawgiver.

A nation may lose its liberties in a day and not miss them in a...

A nation may lose its liberties in a day and not miss them in a...

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.

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 severity of the laws prevents their execution.

The severity of the laws prevents their execution.

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...

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

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

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

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

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...

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.

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

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

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...

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

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

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...

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

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

The best example of democracy I can recall is five wolves sitting down to dinner...

The best example of democracy I can recall is five wolves sitting down to dinner...

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...

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...

Laws undertake to punish only overt acts.

Laws undertake to punish only overt acts.

The less men think, the more they talk.

The less men think, the more they talk.