Montesquieu

"Man, as a physical being, is subject to the laws of nature. As a moral being, he is subject to moral laws which he creates for himself."

"Constant experience shows us that every man who has power is impelled to abuse it."

"The body politic, like the human body, begins to die from its birth, and carries in itself the causes of its destruction."

"Political liberty is found when power is not arbitrary; it exists when laws are certain and known."

"The true strength of any government lies in the consent of the governed."

"Excessive severity in punishing crime is not less injurious than excessive lenity."

"Freedom does not consist of doing what you wish, but of doing what you ought."

"The reputation of a man is like his shadow—it may be longer or shorter as the sun is higher or lower; but it follows him always."

"People should be free to think and believe as long as they harm not the state or others."

"Virtue is not found in the great and powerful, but in the ordinary actions of common people."

"The troubles that women cause us are the only things that make life bearable."

"Mediocrity is the best policy in everything."

"Monarchies are supported by honor, despotisms by fear, and republics by virtue."

"Natural laws are those which derive their force solely from the constitution of our being."

"The intelligence of the majority increases with education; the ignorance of the majority decreases with education."

"Laws are the conditions under which men unite to form society."

"A nation's strength is not measured by the size of its army, but by the vigor of its laws."

"Good legislation is the foundation of good government."

"The effect of wealth is to make a small man greater, but it cannot make a great man small."

"Clarity is the ornament of good discourse."

"The sublimity of administration consists in knowing the proper degree of power that should be exerted at different times."

"Trade makes men peaceful, while idleness and ignorance make them restless and violent."

"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends."

"The study of history is the best medicine for minds diseased by contemporary politics."

"When the body is too much pampered, it becomes weak; when the mind is idle, it becomes dull."

"True courage is to know when to speak and when to be silent."

"The preservation of states depends upon small points as upon great ones."

"A government without virtue cannot preserve itself by force."

"The spirit of moderation should be the spirit of the lawmaker."

"Mankind is governed by very different sentiments than those which are impressed upon them at their birth."