Charles de Montesquieu (1689 – 1755)
Also known as Charles de Montesquieu, was a French political thinker who lived during the Enlightenment and is famous for his articulation of the theory of separation of powers.
I have read descriptions of Paradise that would make any sensible person stop wanting to go there.
Politics are a smooth file, which cuts gradually, and attains its end by slow progression.
Fain would I glide down a gentle river, but I am carried away by a torrent.
In France there are three kinds of professions: the church, the sword, and the long robe. Each hath a sovereign contempt for the other two. For example, a man who ought to be despised only for being a fool is often so because he is a lawyer.
Liberty itself has appeared intolerable to those nations who have not been accustomed to enjoy it.
Oh, how empty is praise when it reflects back to its origin!
There are only two cases in which war is just: first, in order to resist the aggression of an enemy, and second, in order to help an ally who has been attacked.
Mankind by their industry, and by the influence of good laws, have rendered the earth more proper for their abode.
J'ai toujours vu que, pour réussir dans le monde, il fallait avoir l'air fou et ?tre sage.
People here argue about religion interminably, but it appears that they are competing at the same time to see who can be the least devout.
The prejudices of superstition are superior to all others, and have the strongest influence on the human mind.
La raillerie est un discours en faveur de son esprit contre son bon naturel.
[The Pope] will make the king believe that three are only one, that the bread he eats is not bread...and a thousand other things of the same kind.
La Société est l'union des hommes, et non pas les hommes.
Christianity stamped its character on jurisprudence; for empire has ever a connection with the priesthood.
I can assure you that no kingdom has ever had as many civil wars as the kingdom of Christ.
Life was given to me as a favor, so I may abandon it when it is one no longer.
Not to be loved is a misfortune, but it is an insult to be loved no longer.
I shall ever repeat it, that mankind are governed not by extremes, but by principals of moderation.
But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.