If I knew something that would serve my country but would harm mankind…

Baron de Montesquieu
108 citations
If I knew something that would serve my country but would harm mankind, I would never reveal it; for I am a citizen of humanity first and by necessity, and a citizen of France second, and only by accident
Humanity
16

More Author Quotes

In the state of nature... all men are born equal, but they cannot continue in this equality. Society makes them lose it, and they recover it only by the protection of the law. ✨ Charles de Secondat, … ▶
Countries are well cultivated, not as they are fertile, but as they are free.
Success in the majority of circumstances depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed.
In the birth of societies it is the chiefs of states who give it its special character; and afterward it is this special character that forms the chiefs of state.
Liberty itself has appeared intolerable to those nations who have not been accustomed to enjoy it. ✨ Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (2015). The Spirit of Laws, p.385, Library of Alexandria

If I knew something that would serve my country but would harm mankind, I would never reveal it; for I am a citizen of humanity first and by necessity, and a citizen of France second, and only by accident

More Author Quotes

Most Cited Authors

The Best Quotes

Most Liked Authors

Curated Author Quotes