A Commentary and Review of Montesquieu's Spirit of Laws: Prepared for Press from the OriginalThe Lawbook Exchange, Ltd., 2006 - 292 Seiten Reprint of the first edition. This incisive critique was written around 1807 by Tracy [1754-1836], a French philosopher and path-breaking psychologist who was a friend of Jefferson [1743-1826]. Jefferson saw the Commentary when it was still a manuscript and was so impressed that he took pains to have it printed. He even helped with the translation and corrected the page proofs. Although the translation was published anonymously, we can identify the author and translators through a letter by Jefferson dated January 26, 1811. Elsewhere in this letter he commends it for correcting the Spirit of the Laws. While other studies had merely "nibbled only at its errors...This want is now supplied, and with a depth of thought, recision of idea, of language and of logic, which will force conviction into every mind. I declare to you, Sir, in the spirit of truth and sincerity, that I consider it the most precious gift the present age has received.": The Writings of Thomas Jefferson V:566-571. |
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Commentary and Review of Montesquieu's Spirit of Laws De Tracy Destutt,L. Antoine Keine Leseprobe verfügbar - 1967 |
Häufige Begriffe und Wortgruppen
acknowleged advantage appears aristocracy augmented authority become body called cause CHAP circumstances citizens civil commerce confede confederation conse consequently consideration considered constitution consume contrary defend democracy desire despotic duties effect employed encrease enjoyment equal established evil exchange executive exercise exist expences extent faculties false virtue favor force foreign form of government France give happiness Helvetius hereditary ideas industry interest justice kind knowlege labor Lacedemon land law of France legislative legislative power less liberty luxury manner means ment merchandize monarchy Montesquieu nation natural price nature necessary necessity never notwithstanding object obtain opinion oppression particular perceive person Plato political positive laws possess primogeniture principles procure produce profit punishment reason relation render representative democracy republic requires respect riches social society SPIRIT OF LAWS subsistence sufficient sumers sumptuary laws territory thing tion true truth virtue Voltaire wealth
Beliebte Passagen
Seite i - Ignorance of the signification of words, which is want of understanding, disposeth men to take on trust not only the truth they know not, but also the errors, and which is more, the nonsense of them they trust; for neither error nor nonsense can, without a perfect understanding of words, be detected.
Seite ii - An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the time* therein mentioned," and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints.
Seite 105 - Here, then, is the fundamental constitution of the government we are treating of. The legislative body being composed of two parts, they check one another by the mutual privilege of rejecting. They are both restrained by the executive power, as the executive is by the legislative. These three powers should naturally form a state of repose or inaction. But as there is a necessity for movement in the course of human affairs, they are forced to move, but still in concert.
Seite 101 - The only circumstance, therefore, which renders any one social organization preferable to another, is its beip" better adapted to render the members of society happy; and if in general it be desired, that the social constitution should leave to the people a great facility to make known their wishes, it is then more probable that under a government which secures this power, they are governed as they desire.
Seite 12 - Confining myself, then, wholly to the fundamental principles of political society, disregarding the difference of forms, neither censuring nor approving any, i will divide all governments into two classes, one of these I denominate national, in which social rights are common to all; the other special, establishing or recognizing particular or unequal rights.
Seite 1 - THE AUTHOR, To HIS FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I am a Frenchman by birth and education. I was an early friend to the revolution of France, and continued to support it, until those entrusted with its helm, had evidently changed its direction. Flying then from the tyrannies of the monster Robespierre, I found, and still enjoy, safety, freedom, and hospitality, among you.
Seite 12 - In whatever manner governments may be organized, I shall place in the first class all those which recognize the principle, that all rights and power originate in, reside in. and belong to, the entire body of the people or nation ; and that none exists but what is derived from and exercised...
Seite 274 - Those laws which appear as if it were necessary that they should be different in different countries, or exacted on objects which should not be regulated by general laws, consist for the most part of commercial regulations, or are founded on prejudices and habits which should be extinguished; and one of the best means of doing so, is to cease from giving them the countenance of laws.
Seite 19 - Representation, or representative government, may be considered as a new invention, unknown in Montesquieu's time. . . Representative democracy. . . is democracy rendered practicable for a long time and over a great extent of territory
Seite 80 - This is so true, that if we suppose the surface of the globe divided into islands of a proper extent and distance from each other, it would be covered by rich and industrious nations, who would not stand in need of any land armies, consequently ruled by moderate governments only. Having the most convenient communication among themselves, and scarcely any ability to hurt each other without affecting their reciprocal relations, their differences would soon cease by means of their mutual dependence...