"In the infancy of societies, the chiefs of state shape its institutions; later the institutions shape the chiefs of state"
- Charles de Montesquieu
About this Quote
This quote by Charles de Montesquieu recommends that in the early stages of a society, the leaders of the state have a great impact on the development of its institutions. This is because the leaders are the ones who decide which laws and policies should be put in location, and how the society ought to be structured. Nevertheless, as the society matures, the institutions that have actually been developed start to form the leaders of the state. This is since the leaders must comply with the laws and guidelines that have been set in place, and need to likewise consider the values and beliefs of the society when making decisions. This quote highlights the importance of having strong organizations in place in order to guarantee that the leaders of the state are held accountable for their actions.
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