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Baron de Montesquieu

Baron de Montesquieu Quotes

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Baron de Montesquieu, a French Enlightenment thinker, jurist, historian, and politician, was born on January 18, 1689, and died on February 10, 1755. He is one of the most important thinkers in the history of Western political thought, known for his contributions to the theory of the separation of powers.

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Famous Baron de Montesquieu Quotes

“Republics are brought to their ends by luxury; monarchies by poverty.”

Ends Poverty Luxury Republic Monarchy

Author:Baron de Montesquieu

“Republics come to an end by luxurious habits; monarchies by poverty.”

Ends Wisdom Politics Poverty Economy Habit Liberalism Republic Monarchy Luxurious

Author:Baron de Montesquieu

“A love of the republic in a democracy is a love of the democracy, as the latter is that of equality. A love of the democracy is likewise that of frugality. Since every individual ought here to enjoy the same happiness, and the same advantages, they should consequently taste the same pleasures and form the same hopes, which cannot be expected but from a general frugality.”

Should Form Individual Enjoy Pleasure Democracy Ought Taste Advantage Expected Latter Republic Frugality

Book:The Spirit of Laws

Source: The Spirit of Laws

“Virtue is necessary to a republic.”

Virtue Republic

Author:Baron de Montesquieu

“Virtue in a republic is the love of one's country, that is the love of equality.”

Country Virtue Republic

Book:The Spirit of Laws

Source: The Spirit of Laws

“In a republic there is no coercive force as in other governments, the laws must therefore endeavor to supply this defect.”

Government Law Force Endeavor Republic Defects

Author:Baron de Montesquieu

“The less luxury there is in a republic, the more it is perfect.”

Perfect Luxury Republic

Book:The Spirit of Laws

Source: The Spirit of Laws

“When a government lasts a long while, it deteriorates by insensible degrees. Republics end through luxury, monarchies through poverty.”

Long Ends Government Lasts Poverty Degrees Luxury Republic Monarchy Insensible

Author:Baron de Montesquieu

“Luxury ruins republics; poverty, monarchies.”

Poverty Ruins Luxury Republic Tyrants Monarchy

Author:Baron de Montesquieu

“...when the laws have ceased to be executed, as this can only come from the corruption of the republic, the state is already lost.”

States Law Lost Corruption Republic

Author:Baron de Montesquieu

“As virtue is necessary in a republic, and honor in a monarchy, fear is what is required in a despotism. As for virtue, it is not at all necessary, and honor would be dangerous there.”

Would Be Political Virtue Dangerous Honor Republic Monarchy Despotism

Author:Baron de Montesquieu

“Republics end through luxury; monarchies through poverty.”

Ends Poverty Luxury Republic Tyrants Monarchy

Author:Baron de Montesquieu

About the Author

Born: January 18, 1689
Died: February 10, 1755
Known for: Author
Quotes: 226

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