“I have never known any distress that an hour’s reading did not relieve.”
- January 18, 1689 – February 10, 1755
- French
- Political Philosopher, Jurist, Author of The Spirit of the Laws
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Quote
“I have never known any distress that an hour’s reading did not relieve.”
Explanation
Montesquieu expresses the deep solace and refuge that reading offers in times of distress. For him, books are more than sources of knowledge—they are companions, distractions, and restorers of the mind. In moments of sorrow, anxiety, or weariness, reading becomes a form of mental escape and emotional healing, allowing the reader to momentarily transcend the burdens of reality.
This sentiment reflects a broader Enlightenment reverence for literature and learning as tools not only of enlightenment, but of personal well-being. Reading nurtures imagination, stimulates reason, and connects us with distant minds and experiences, thereby offering both intellectual engagement and emotional relief. Montesquieu’s words suggest that the act of reading can reorient the soul, calm the nerves, and renew one’s sense of purpose or perspective.
Today, the quote remains especially resonant in an age of constant distraction and emotional overload. Whether through novels, philosophy, or history, the quiet act of reading still offers a timeless refuge—a space for reflection, comfort, and inner peace. Montesquieu reminds us that in a world of turmoil, the written word holds enduring power to soothe the heart and strengthen the mind.
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