Democratic and aristocratic states are not in their own nature free. Political liberty is to be found only in moderate governments; and even in these it is not always found. It is there only when there is no abuse of power. But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go. Montesquieu
About This Quote

Montesquieu stated that “Democratic and aristocratic states are not in their own nature free. Political liberty is to be found only in moderate governments; and even in these it is not always found. It is there only when there is no abuse of power. But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.” He believed that the best way to deal with people who were in positions of authority was to remain vigilant and be prepared to defend yourself against them.

Source: The Spirit Of The Laws

Some Similar Quotes
  1. Power is not revealed by striking hard or often, but by striking true. - Unknown
  2. As time and space are bent by gravity, so too is truth bent by power. - James Rozoff
  3. It is the destiny of the weak to be devoured by the strong. - Otto Von Bismarck
  4. The worship of power is an old religion. - George Santayana
  5. What a curious power words have. - Tadeusz Borowski
More Quotes By Montesquieu
  1. I can assure you that no kingdom has ever had as many civil wars as the kingdom of Christ.
  2. I have never known any distress that an hour’s reading did not relieve.
  3. Democratic and aristocratic states are not in their own nature free. Political liberty is to be found only in moderate governments; and even in these it is not always found. It is there only when there is no abuse of power. But constant experience shows...
  4. Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.
  5. Every man is capable of doing good to another, but to contribute to the happiness of an entire society is to become akin to the gods
Related Topics