Montesquieu

When the legislative power is united with the executive power, there is no liberty.

The principle of monarchy is honor.

The principle of despotism is fear.

The climate, the religion, the laws, the maxims of government, the precedents, the morals, the manners, all these things have a share in forming the general spirit of a nation.

If I knew of something that would be useful to me, and yet harmful to my family, I would drive it from my mind. If I knew of something that would be useful to my family, and yet harmful to my country, I would try to forget it. If I knew of something that would be useful to my country, and yet harmful to Europe, or useful to Europe and harmful to mankind, I would consider it a crime.

The people are extremely well qualified for choosing those whom they are to entrust with part of their authority.

It is not the case that every man who has power is a tyrant; but it is the case that every man who has power is tempted to be one.

The laws of nature are the laws of God.

The greatest empires are not those which are founded by force, but by justice.

The severity of laws is necessary in proportion to the corruption of the people.

The state of nature is a state of war.

The most important affair of the public is to make justice reign.

The power of judging should be exercised by persons taken from the body of the people.

The laws, in their most general signification, are the necessary relations arising from the nature of things.

It is a great mistake to imagine that a bad man can be a good citizen.

The natural effect of commerce is to lead to peace.

The greater the number of people who are employed, the greater the wealth of the nation.

The principle of a republic is virtue, that of a monarchy is honor, that of a despotism is fear.

The love of our country is a love of ourselves.

It is not the people who are corrupt, but the government.