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All Collections > The Complete Works of Montesquieu. Electronic Edition. > Volume I. > body > book v.: that the laws, given by the legislator, ought to be relative to the principle of government. > chap. XIII.: an idea of despotic power.
cover
The Complete Works of Montesquieu. Electronic Edition.
cover
Volume I.
Body
BOOK V.: THAT THE LAWS, GIVEN BY THE LEGISLATOR, OUGHT TO BE RELATIVE TO THE PRINCIPLE OF GOVERNMENT.
CHAP. XIII.: An Idea of despotic Power.

CHAP. XIII.: An Idea of despotic Power.

WHEN the savages of Louisiana are desirous of fruit, they cut the tree to the root, and gather the

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fruit.†111 This is an emblem of despotic government.