Montesquieu's most famous quotes
The top 3 according to 5 votes from people: So that power cannot be abused, things must be arranged so that power checks power. · Liberty is the right to do whatever the laws permit. · Love of the republic, in a democracy, is love of democracy; love of democracy is love of equality.. (Updated Feb 5, 2020.)
From The Spirit of the Laws and its separation of powers to the Persian Letters and his Thoughts: Montesquieu's most quoted lines, with the work and the letter or book they come from.
Automatically translated (original in Français). See the original
Top 11
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1
So that power cannot be abused, things must be arranged so that power checks power.
The Spirit of the Laws (1748), Book XI.
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2
Liberty is the right to do whatever the laws permit.
The Spirit of the Laws (1748), Book XI.
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3
Love of the republic, in a democracy, is love of democracy; love of democracy is love of equality.
The Spirit of the Laws (1748), Book V.
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4
It is sometimes necessary to change certain laws. But it is rare, and when it happens they should be touched only with a trembling hand.
Persian Letters (1721), letter 80.
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5
To do great things you need not be so great a genius: you need not be above men; you must be with them.
Persian Letters (1721).
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6
If triangles made a god, they would give him three sides.
Persian Letters (1721), letter 59.
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7
Study has been my sovereign remedy against disgust: I have never had a sorrow that an hour's reading did not take away.
My Thoughts (posthumous).
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8
The usual effect of colonies is to weaken the countries they are drawn from without populating those they are sent to.
Persian Letters (1721), letter 121.
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9
In a State, more or less cruel punishments do not make people obey the laws any better.
Persian Letters (1721), letter 81.
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10
There are only two kinds of just war: to repel an attacking enemy, and to help an ally under attack.
Persian Letters (1721), letter 95.
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11
Justice is a relationship of fitness that really exists between two things.
Persian Letters (1721), letter 84.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (2)
« La liberté est le droit de faire tout ce que les lois permettent »… pratique quand ce sont les puissants qui écrivent les lois. Montesquieu est surestimé.
Justement, c'est pour ça qu'il veut que le pouvoir arrête le pouvoir, c'est la phrase juste au-dessus. Faut lire la liste en entier ;)