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Can anybody tell me who the author if this quote is? I think it is great and my research has given me a new respect for some of the Philosophes of the Enlightenment.
The misfortune of a republic is when intrigues are at an end; which happens when the people are gained by bribery and corruption: in this case they grow indifferent to public affairs, and avarice becomes their predominant passion. Unconcerned about the government and everything belonging to it, they quietly wait for their hire.
Without looking it sounds like Andrew Jackson since this is the sort of thing he campaigned against. But I will wait until the answer is given.
Montesquieu ( Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Br?de et de Montesquieu ), The Spirit of Laws, 1748
It is Montesquieu and Aeth is right it's from The Spirit of Laws. I ran across it today while looking for something else for my term paper and thought it was pretty good. It stuck with me for an hour or so anyway. I am actually running across quite a few pithy quotes from the Philosophes, Voltaire seems to have the most. It is causing me to somewhat reevaluate my dismissal of them as dilettantes, even if I still have not changed my judgment on the effects of the Enlightenment project as a whole.I particularly like the part about the people quietly waiting for their hire.
I have noted in the past your distaste for the Enlightenment thinkers. In my opinion, they are interesting to read even if I disagree with some of their premises or conclusions. They often lay out philosophical and political frameworks which are pretty reasonable and sometimes ingenious. They ambitiously approach fields like politics and economics in a scientific manner, and it is remarkable how they were able to be so comprehensive in their thoughts. When I was studying philosophy I was impressed by how many of them had their own somewhat novel proofs for the existence of God. Thinkers like Voltaire and possibly Hume may have gotten notice because they were the great skeptics of Christianity, or at least Catholicism, but even they have some interesting things to say.
I have been writing a paper on the Enlightenment and natural law and reading quite a bit of the Philosophes during my research. It is intriguing to say the least. I have put several of the books aside to read more completely when i have the time and school is not so pressing. I have been cramming all day today to finish the paper which is why the quote caught my eye today. I have to finish it tonight and now all I have left is the conclusion and I am done until the final exam week after next.
Is this a quiz, or are you really asking? Because I now the answer, but I cheated with google.
Justice must prevail: Sky had the answer first ! 😉
Being the type of person I am I agree here, knowing is good; knowing where to look to find out is better.Einstein, according to legend, had to look up his own phone number when an assistant asked for it. "Why would I clutter my mind with my telephone number when it is in a book that is located near every telephone? Besides, I rarely have cause to call myself at home and even if I did, it is unlikely I'd be there to answer." 😉
