Quotes by Baron de Montesquieu

The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy.

Solemnity is the shield of idiots.

There is something in animals beside the power of motion. They are not machines; they feel.

If the triangles made a god, they would give him three sides.

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

Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.

There is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of law and in the name of justice.

I have always observed that to succeed in the world one should seem a fool, but be wise.

Each citizen contributes to the revenues of the State a portion of his property in order that his tenure of the rest may be secure.

Trade is the best cure for prejudice.