"The deterioration of every government
begins with the decay of the principles
on which it was founded."
by:
C. L. De Montesquieu
[Montesquieu, Charles Louis de Secondat] (1689-1755) Baron de Montesquieu
Source:
The Spirit of the Laws, VIII, 1752
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Reader comments about this quote:
... and I fear today that it is each of the (in control for over 20 years) radical right and (small but present) liberal left that blame the other for this decay of core principles... leaving us centrists suffering in the middle of a vicious game of dodge ball we all are doomed to lose.
 -- Anonymous, Reston, VA US		 
As true as true can be.
 -- KS, Somewhere,USA		 
The United States began its decay around 1917, with government programs like "the new deal". It has been downhill ever since.
 -- Joe, Rochester, MI		 
Tony Blair should have this on his desk!
 -- Alan, London		 
True wisdom transcends years and nations This is a quote for the ages
 -- Dave Walker, St. Cloud Minnesota USA		 
Now that compelled compliance, license, victimless crimes, governmental larceny, non-allodium, and a fascist theocracy's cannons are the norm; with freedom, liberty, law and justice being understood by such a small minority, De Montesquieu's statement reiterates the accuracy of he who forgets history is doomed to relive it.
 -- Mike, Norwalk		 
Such as the inability of ignorant people to not study their history and understand the dichotomy between "Democracies" and "Republics". Deny the foundation of American political thought, but do not rewrite it.
 -- Logan, Memphis, TN		 
Herein is the crux of the matter. Our forefathers gave our administration a conscience to abide by based on the moral principles of nature. Our administration no longer has a conscience, only a feigned one to keep people thinking they are acting in their best interests.
 -- Anon		 
We've gone from a nation of people capable of critical thinking to a nation of taxpaying consumer/sheep. Inventory. If we don't wake up soon, we'll find ourselves at the door of the slaughterhouse....
 -- J Carlton, Calgary		 
Anonymous, centrist is just another word for leftist. You "centrists" always wind up supporting more government and more taxes.
 -- jim k, austin		 
Our nation started out well with the Declaration and The Articles but the framers faultered a little bit when they allowed slaves to be counted towards representation in Congress even though they were property and could not vote. And giving States the right to appoint Senators was an anathema to "all men are created equal". Perchance they did the best they could and gave us the Amendment Process and through it and a Civil War we got on the right track. I would change Montesquie's statement to say "all governments fail that do not progress towards better and better government".
 -- Waffler, Smith		 
Dead on. As usual Waffler you are clueless. The amendment process is no longer used. Now we have the courts amend the constitution according to their whim and you, I suppose, would call this another improvement.
 -- warren, olathe		 
Most new governments are created by the need for Liberty, to overpower tyranny and corruption. And, once that spark for Liberty and the pursuit of happiness is replaced by greed and fundamentalism Liberty starts its downhill spiral and the cycle begins again.
 -- RBESRQ		 
Warren you need to consult your thesaurs and come up with a new cliche. "you are clueless" is a little trite and out worn.
 -- Waffler, Smith		 
 
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