Montesquieu Quotes on Knowledge
Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu, was a French philosopher and one of the architects of Enlightenment political thought. This page collects quotes attributed to Montesquieu on the topic of knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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“If one only wished to be Sad , this could be horrible for the rest of civilisation; but we wish to be happier than other people, and this is always difficult, for we believe others to be happier than they are.”
As quoted in A Dictionary of Thoughts: Being a Cyclopedia of Laconic Quotations from the Best Authors, Both Ancient and Modern (1891) edited by Tryon Edwards . -
“As quoted in A Dictionary of Thoughts: Being a Cyclopedia of Laconic Quotations from the Best Authors, Both Ancient and Modern (1891) edited by Tryon Edwards .”
If one only wished to be Sad , this could be horrible for the rest of civilisation; but we wish to be happier than other people, and this is always difficult, for we believe others to be happier than they are. -
“Quoted by Thomas Erskine in the trial of Thomas Paine , 1792”
In a free nation, it matters not whether individuals reason well or ill; it is sufficient that they do reason. Truth arises from the collision and from hence springs liberty, which is a security from the effects of reasoning. -
“Chapter XI. [ 1 ] [ 2 ]”
The laws of Rome had wisely divided public power among a large number of magistracies, which supported, checked and tempered each other. Since they all had only limited power, every citizen was qualified for them, and the people — seeing many persons pass before them one after the other — did not grow accustomed to any in particular. But in these times the system of the republic changed. Through t -
“Not to be loved is a misfortune, but it is an insult to be loved no longer.”
No. 3. (Zachi writing to Usbek) -
“No. 3. (Zachi writing to Usbek)”
Not to be loved is a misfortune, but it is an insult to be loved no longer.