"Laws undertake to punish only overt acts"

This quote by Charles de Montesquieu is referring to the concept that laws ought to just be utilized to punish those who have actually committed an overt act, or an act that is done freely and deliberately. This suggests that laws ought to not be utilized to punish those who have not devoted any obvious acts, such as those who have not dedicated any criminal activities or those who have not broken any laws. This quote is emphasizing the value of guaranteeing that laws are just utilized to penalize those who have actually committed an overt act, and not those who have not. This is essential since it ensures that justice is served which those who have actually devoted a criminal offense are held liable for their actions. It likewise makes sure that those who have not committed any criminal offenses are not penalized for something they did refrain from doing. This quote is a suggestion that laws need to be utilized to punish those who have actually committed an obvious act, and not those who have not.