Montesquieu

Honor is the principle of monarchy.

Fear is the principle of despotic government.

The state of slavery is in its own nature bad.

Religious persecution is bad government.

The spirit of commerce leads to that of monopoly.

It is not the criminal actions of a few that harm the state, but the indifference of many.

Happiness is a good bank account, a good cook, and a good digestion.

If I knew of something that could serve my nation but would ruin another, I would not propose it to my prince.

The Christian religion is a stranger to the unity of the state.

In every government there are three powers: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial.

The judiciary is the power of judging.

There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the strict forms of justice.

The more a government is moderated, the more moderate its laws.

Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.

The laws of commerce are the laws of nature.

Slavery is a violation of the natural rights of man.

The people are the source of all power.

Enlightened men are the ornament of the state.

The corruption of the best things gives the worst.

We must not always judge of the generality of the customs by the experience of a few.