A Quote by – Charles de Montesquieu baron de Montesquieu

Topic of this Quote:

Author Name:

Charles de Montesquieu baron de Montesquieu

Born As:

Charles-Louis de Secondat

Other Names:

Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu

Born:

18 Jan 1689

Died:

10 Feb 1755
De l'Esprit des Lois - 1748 - The Spirit of the Laws - XV Ch. 5.                          
Les esprits faibles amplifie trop le mal faits aux Africains.                          
This quote has been circulated on some racist forums where it seems weak minds have eagerly embraced it as if it were a statement Montesquieu made in all sincerity, when in fact it is quite otherwise. Quoted out of context, as it is, it can seem that Montesquieu was being supportive of racial oppressions, but he was in fact arguing against slavery, and presenting this statement as a hypothetical one he might resort to, if he were arguing for it. Knowing how Charles felt about slavery, this statement is meant as sarcasm. along with several others that can be seen to be plainly sarcastic or satirical of the attitudes of the supporters of slavery.

Were I to vindicate our right to make slaves of the negroes, these should be my arguments: