The deterioration of every government begins with the decay of the principles on which it was founded.
When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty; because apprehensions may arise, lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws, to execute them in a tyrannical manner.
A nation may lose its liberties in a day and not miss them in a century.
When the [law making] and [law enforcement] powers are united in the same person... there can be no liberty.
Liberty... is there only when there is no abuse of power.
Political liberty in a citizen is that tranquillity of spirit which comes from the opinion each one has of his security, and in order for him to have this liberty the government must be such that one citizen cannot fear another citizen.
Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.
Political liberty is to be found only in moderate governments.
We ought to be very cautious and circumspect in the prosecution of magic and heresy. The attempt to put down these two crimes may be extremely perilous to liberty.
The Christian religion is a stranger to mere despotic power. The mildness so frequently recommended in the Gospel is incompatible with the despotic rage.
Liberty is the right to do what the law permits.
In constitutional states, liberty is compensation for heavy taxes; in dictatorships, the subsititue is light taxes.
Liberty itself has appeared intolerable to those nations who have not been accustomed to enjoy it.
We ought to be very cautious in the prosecution of magic and heresy. The attempt to put down these two crimes may be extremely perilous to liberty, and may be the origin of a number of petty acts of tyranny if the legislator be not on his guard; for as such an accusation does not bear directly on the overt acts of a citizen, but refers to the idea we entertain of his character.
There is as yet no liberty if the power of judging be not separated from legislative power and the executrix
A prince who loves and fears religion is a lion who stoops to the hand that strokes or to the voice that appeases him. He who fears and hates religion is like the savage beast that growls and bites the chain, which prevents his flying on the passenger. He who has no religion at all is that terrible animal who perceives his liberty only when he tears in pieces, and when he devours.
Countries are not cultivated in proportion to their fertility, but to their liberty.
We must have constantly present in our minds the difference between independence and liberty. Liberty is a right of doing whatever the laws permit, and if a citizen could do what they forbid he would no longer be possessed of liberty.
Liberty is the right of doing whatever the laws permit.
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