A man who writes well writes not as others write, but as he himself writes; it is often in speaking badly that he speaks well.
Baron de MontesquieuWhen a government lasts a long while, it deteriorates by insensible degrees. Republics end through luxury, monarchies through poverty.
Baron de MontesquieuA fondness for reading changes the inevitable dull hours of our life into exquisite hours of delight.
Baron de MontesquieuThe spirit of commerce is frugality, economy, moderation, labor, ponderance, tranquillity, order, and rule. So long as this spirit subsides, the riches it produces have no bad effect. The mischief is when excessive wealth destroys the spirit of commerce, then it is that the conveniences of inequality... are felt.
Baron de Montesquieu