“But 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.”
- January 18, 1689 – February 10, 1755
- French
- Political Philosopher, Jurist, Author of The Spirit of the Laws
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Quote
“But 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.”
Explanation
Montesquieu articulates a foundational principle of political philosophy: that power, when unchecked, tends toward abuse. He draws from historical observation and human nature to assert that those who hold authority often push its limits, expanding their control until resistance or structure restrains them. This is not merely a critique of individual ambition but a reflection on systemic vulnerability—the tendency for any concentration of power to become self-serving.
This idea lies at the heart of Montesquieu’s most influential contribution: the doctrine of separation of powers, elaborated in The Spirit of the Laws. He believed that no single person or institution should hold absolute authority, and that liberty can only be preserved when power is distributed and each branch of government is empowered to check the others. Without such safeguards, even well-intentioned rulers are susceptible to corruption by the very authority they wield.
In today’s democracies, this insight remains essential. Institutions such as independent courts, free media, and legislative oversight exist precisely to curb the overreach of executive or political power. Montesquieu’s timeless warning reinforces the truth that liberty is not preserved by the virtue of rulers, but by the structure of governance that limits them.
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