Quotes · Quote card
Quotation from The Spirit of the Laws by Montesquieu
“constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.”
The Spirit of the Laws, Book XI, ch. 4, trans. Nugent
The observation of human nature on which the argument for dividing powers rests.
Citation: "constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go." — Montesquieu, The Spirit of the Laws, Book XI, ch. 4, trans. Nugent. (id the-spirit-of-the-laws-q3)
Portrait: Montesquieu, De l'Esprit des loix (1st ed, 1748, vol 1, title page), Smuconlaw., Public domain.
