I have never known any distress that an hour's reading did not relieve.
Baron De MontesquieuRead
The deterioration of every government begins with the decay of the principles on which it was founded.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A government's decline starts when it strays from its foundational principles.
This quote by Baron De Montesquieu highlights the importance of foundational principles in governance. It suggests that when a government deviates from the core values and principles that establish its legitimacy, it initiates a process of deterioration, leading to potential instability and failure. A strong adherence to foundational ideals is essential for the health and longevity of any government.
Themes
GovernmentPrinciplesDecayDeteriorationFoundations
In practice
Example use cases
During a political discussion, one might invoke this quote to emphasize the need for integrity in governance.
More from Baron De Montesquieu
All quotes βLaw 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.
Baron De MontesquieuRead
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