Very good laws may be ill timed.

It is clear that in a monarchy, where he who commands the exceution of the laws generally thinks himself above them, there is lessneed of virtue than in a popular government, where the person entrusted with the execution of the laws is sensible of his being subject to their direction.

Politics are a smooth file, which cuts gradually, and attains its end by slow progression.

Countries are well cultivated, not as they are fertile, but as they are free.

Virtue in a republic is the love of one's country, that is the love of equality.

What unhappy beings men are! They constantly waver between false hopes and silly fears, and instead of relying on reason they create monsters to frighten themselves with, and phantoms which lead them astray.

...when the laws have ceased to be executed, as this can only come from the corruption of the republic, the state is already lost.