"If I knew of something that could serve my nation but would ruin another, I would not propose it to my prince, for I am first a man and only then a Frenchman... because I am necessarily a man, and only accidentally am I French"

This quote by Charles de Secondat speaks to the concept of morality and the significance of being a good person before being a person of a specific nation. He is stating that if he were to come across something that might benefit his nation, however would cause damage to another, he would not recommend it to his prince. This is since he thinks that being a good person must come prior to being a person of a particular nation. He believes that being a guy is a basic part of his identity, and being French is just a secondary part of his identity. This quote talks to the idea that morality need to come before nationalism, and that people should aim to be excellent individuals before being residents of a specific nation. It is a suggestion that we must aim to be great individuals and to put morality prior to nationalism.