Quotes & anectdotes from
the wise,
the foolish,
the courageous &
the drunk

Charles de Secondat Philosopher

  • Gender: Male
  • Citizenship: France
  • Born: Jan 18, 1689
  • Died: Feb 10, 1755

Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu, generally referred to as simply Montesquieu, was a French lawyer, man of letters, and political philosopher who lived during the Age of Enlightenment. He is famous for his articulation of the theory of separation of powers, which is implemented in many constitutions throughout the world. He did more than any other author to secure the place of the word despotism in the political lexicon, and may have been partly responsible for the popularization of the terms feudalism and Byzantine Empire.

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.

Each particular society begins to feel its strength, whence arises a state of war between different nations.

Society is the union of men and not the men themselves.

There are three species of government: republican, monarchical, and despotic.

Men, who are rogues individually, are in the mass very honorable people.

Power ought to serve as a check to power.

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.

As soon as man enters into a state of society he loses the sense of his weakness equality ceases, and then commences the state of war.

Do you think that God will punish them for not practicing a religion which he did not reveal to them?

When the body of the people is possessed of the supreme power, it is called a democracy.