Quotes By Charles De Secondat
The deterioration of a government begins almost always by the decay of its principles.
Charles de Secondat
Thus the creation, which seems an arbitrary act, supposes laws as invariable as those of the fatality of the Atheists. It would be absurd to say that the Creator might govern the world without those rules, since without them it could not subsist.
Charles de Secondat
In bodies moved, the motion is received, increased, diminished, or lost, according to the relations of the quantity of matter and velocity; each diversity is uniformity, each change is constancy.
Charles de Secondat
I have always observed that to succeed in the world one should appear like a fool but be wise.
Charles de Secondat
If I knew of something that could serve my nation but would ruin another, I would not propose it to my prince, for I am first a man and only then a Frenchman... because I am necessarily a man, and only accidentally am I French.
Charles de Secondat
Each particular society begins to feel its strength, whence arises a state of war between different nations.
Charles de Secondat
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.
Charles de Secondat
There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice.
Charles de Secondat
Although born in a prosperous realm, we did not believe that its boundaries should limit our knowledge, and that the lore of the East should alone enlighten us.
Charles de Secondat
The success of most things depends upon knowing how long it will take to succeed.
Charles de Secondat
When the body of the people is possessed of the supreme power, it is called a democracy.
Charles de Secondat
I have read descriptions of Paradise that would make any sensible person stop wanting to go there.
Charles de Secondat
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.
Charles de Secondat
Do you think that God will punish them for not practicing a religion which he did not reveal to them?
Charles de Secondat
When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty; because apprehensions may arise, lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws, to execute them in a tyrannical manner.
Charles de Secondat
Law in general is human reason, inasmuch as it governs all the inhabitants of the earth: the political and civil laws of each nation ought to be only the particular cases in which human reason is applied.
Charles de Secondat
The law of nations is naturally founded on this principle, that different nations ought in time of peace to do one another all the good they can, and in time of war as little injury as possible, without prejudicing their real interests.
Charles de Secondat