I have never known any distress that an hour's reading did not relieve.
Baron De MontesquieuRead
Power should be a check on power.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The idea that power must be regulated by other powers to prevent abuse.
Baron De Montesquieu's quote emphasizes the necessity of a system of checks and balances in governance. It suggests that no single entity should hold absolute power, as doing so could lead to tyranny and oppression. Instead, power should be distributed and regulated to maintain freedom and justice in society.
Themes
PowerChecks And BalancesGovernanceTyrannyJustice
In practice
Example use cases
In a political debate discussing the importance of democratic systems.
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.
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