There is no nation so powerful, as the one that obeys its laws not from principals of fear or reason, but from passion.
Baron de MontesquieuLaw 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.
Baron de MontesquieuThe law of nations is naturally founded on this principle, that different nations ought in time of peace to do one another all the good they can, and in time of war as little injury as possible, without prejudicing their real interests.
Baron de MontesquieuWhen virtue is banished, ambition invades the minds of those who are disposed to receive it and avarice possesses the whole community.
Baron de MontesquieuBrutes are deprived of the high advantages which we have; but they have some which we have not. They have not our hopes, but theyare without our fears; they are subject like us to death, but without knowing it; even most of them are more attentive than we to self-preservation, and do not make so bad a use of their passions.
Baron de Montesquieu