In the infancy of societies, the chiefs of state shape its institutions; later the institutions shape the chiefs of state.
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Other Quotes by "Montesquieu"

Each particular society begins to feel its strength, whence arises a state of war between different nations.
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There should be weeping at a man's birth, not at his death.
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We should weep for men at their birth, not at their death.
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Happy the people whose annals are tiresome.
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There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice.
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