I have never known any distress that an hour's reading did not relieve.
Baron De MontesquieuRead
It is not the young people that degenerate; they are not spoiled till those of mature age are already sunk into corruption.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Young people are not inherently corrupt; rather, it is the older generation that influences them negatively.
This quote by Baron De Montesquieu suggests that the moral decline seen in younger generations is not a result of their own character or actions, but rather a reflection of the failings and corruption of the older generations who are meant to guide and mentor them. It emphasizes the responsibility of adults to set a good example, as the imperfections of leaders and mentors can lead to the moral degradation of youth.
Themes
YouthCorruptionExampleResponsibilityInfluence
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about youth mentorship, one might say, 'As Montesquieu pointed out, it is not the young who are to blame for societal issues.'
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.
Baron De MontesquieuRead
If you would be holy, instruct your children, because all the good acts they perform will be imputed to you.
Baron De MontesquieuRead
Trade is the best cure for prejudice.
Baron De MontesquieuRead
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