I have never known any distress that an hour's reading did not relieve.
Baron De MontesquieuRead
There are three species of government: republican, monarchical, and despotic.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Montesquieu categorizes governments into three types, highlighting their differing structures and principles.
In this quote, Montesquieu emphasizes the classification of governments based on their inherent nature and authority. By identifying three distinct forms—republican, monarchical, and despotic—he illustrates the varying degrees of freedom and oppression within political systems, promoting a nuanced understanding of governance and its impact on society.
Themes
GovernmentPoliticsAuthorityRepublicanMonarchicalDespotic
In practice
Example use cases
In a political science class discussing forms of governance.
More from Baron De Montesquieu
All quotes →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.
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To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.
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Love of the republic in a democracy, is a love of the democracy; love of the democracy is that of equality. Love of the democracy is likewise that of frugality.
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It is not the young people that degenerate; they are not spoiled till those of mature age are already sunk into corruption.
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If you would be holy, instruct your children, because all the good acts they perform will be imputed to you.
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