Montesquieu:

The state of monarchy is not like that of a despotism. In a monarchy, the prince is master of his subjects, but not of his laws.

— Montesquieu Early Modern

Separation of powers

The Spirit of the Laws, Book II, Chapter 4: Of the Nature of Monarchical Government

1748

Verification

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Cross Reference

1 source

"The people are extremely susceptible to flattery and easily deceived."

"The spirit of the laws is the spirit of the legislator."

"It is an error to believe that a state, however small, can be governed by virtue alone. It must be aided by force."

"In moderate governments, the love of the country is the love of the whole."

"The principle of despotic government is fear."