This famous quote, “Liberty is the right to do what the law permits,” comes from Montesquieu, an 18th-century French philosopher and political thinker. Known for his profound influence on the concept of separation of powers, Montesquieu believed that true liberty requires structure and balance.
Montesquieu highlights the idea that liberty isn’t absolute freedom to act as one pleases but rather the ability to act within the confines of laws designed to maintain order and fairness. By emphasizing “what the law permits,” he underscores the importance of laws in safeguarding individual freedoms while preventing harm to others or society at large.
Montesquieu (1689–1755) is best known for his work The Spirit of the Laws, a foundational text in political philosophy. His ideas profoundly shaped modern democratic governance, especially through his advocacy for separating legislative, executive, and judicial powers.
