Monday, January 13, 2003

The Spirit of Laws (excerpts) -- Baron de Montesquieu, 1748

THE SPIRIT OF LAWS

By

Charles De Secondat, Baron De Montesquieu


Translated By Thomas Nugent
[Selected sections]

[Scanned and edited with footnote revision for the web by Spartacus, editor of The Men's Tribune. Repostings must include this link. Please report errors.]

[Montesquieu has been said to be the most influential philosopher of the founding fathers of the United States of America, who guaranteed to their states that highest form of government, the "republican form" (Art. IV, Sect. 4.)]
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CONSEQUENCES OF THE DIFFERENT PRINCIPLES OF THE THREE GOVERNMENTS WITH RESPECT TO SUMPTUARY LAWS, LUXURY, AND THE CONDITION OF WOMEN
8.--Of public Continency
9.--Of the Condition or State of Women in different Governments
10.--Of the domestic Tribunal among the Romans
11.--In what Manner the Institutions changed at Rome, together with the Government
12.--0f the Guardianship of Women among the Romans
13--Of the Punishments decreed by the Emperors against the Incontinence of Women
14--Sumptuary Laws among the Romans
15--0f Dowries and Nuptial Advantages in different Constitutions
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HOW THE LAWS OF DOMESTIC SLAVERY BEAR A RELATION TO THE NATURE OF THE CLIMATE
8.--Of the Separation of Women from Men
9.--Of the Connection between domestic and political Government
10.--The Principle on which the Morals of the East are founded
11.--Of domestic Slavery independently of Polygamy
12.--0f natural Modesty
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HOW THE LAWS OF POLITICAL SERVITUDE BEAR A RELATION TO THE NATURE OF THE CLIMATE
1.--Of political Servitude
2.--The Difference between Nations in point of Courage
3.--0f the Climate of Asia
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OF LAWS IN RELATION TO THE PRINCIPLES WHICH FORM THE GENERAL SPIRIT, THE MORALS, AND CUSTOMS OF A NATION
12.--Of Customs and Manners in a despotic State
13.--0f the Behavior of the Chinese
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1.--Of the Origin and Revolutions of the Roman Laws on Successions
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