“It is not the young people that degenerate; they are not spoiled till those of mature age are already sunk into corruption.”
- January 18, 1689 – February 10, 1755
- French
- Political Philosopher, Jurist, Author of The Spirit of the Laws
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Quote
“It is not the young people that degenerate; they are not spoiled till those of mature age are already sunk into corruption.”
Explanation
Montesquieu challenges the common tendency to blame the youth for moral or societal decline, asserting instead that corruption begins with the older generation. When those in positions of authority—parents, teachers, officials—become morally compromised, they set the tone for society, and the young merely reflect the values they are taught. This is a defense of youth and a direct indictment of the cultural and political failings of adults.
This idea is rooted in Enlightenment thinking, which emphasized education, example, and social conditioning in shaping human behavior. Montesquieu understood that morality is not inherited but modeled, and when those responsible for guiding the next generation are themselves “sunk into corruption,” the moral fabric of society weakens. The youth, in this view, are not initiators of decline but its most visible victims and inheritors.
In modern times, the quote resonates amid debates over youth behavior, political apathy, and cultural change. From environmental inaction to political disillusionment, young people often inherit problems created by their predecessors. Montesquieu’s message is clear: if society wishes to restore virtue or integrity, it must begin by reforming the conduct and values of those already in power—not by condemning the young.
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