The lively phraseology of Montesquieu was the result of long meditation. His words, as light as wings, bear on them grave reflections.
The breath of the mind is attention.
The sound of the drum drives out thought; for that very reason it is the most military of instruments.
Without duty, life is soft and boneless.
We use up in the passions the stuff that was given us for happiness.
Living requires but little life; doing requires much.