Men, who are rogues individually, are in the mass very honorable

Hear, O seeker of wisdom, the words of Montesquieu, philosopher of liberty and laws: “Men, who are rogues individually, are in the mass very honorable people.” At first, this declaration seems strange, even contradictory, for how can the dishonor of the one give way to the honor of the many? Yet in these words lies a profound truth about human nature and society—that while individuals may stumble into selfishness and deceit, together in the assembly of the people, guided by common cause and shared duty, they often rise to a nobler height.

The phrase “rogues individually” reminds us of the frailty of man when left to his own desires. Alone, a man may pursue greed, neglect justice, and abandon virtue for the fleeting comfort of his appetites. Solitude tempts him to corruption, for there is no watchful eye, no common standard to hold him accountable. But the same man, when bound into the fabric of a community, is restrained by laws, by honor, and by the expectations of others. Thus does he rise, not by nature alone, but by the force of society.

Look to history, and the lesson is plain. In the streets of Paris before the Revolution, men as individuals sought bread, coin, and survival. Yet when gathered in the National Assembly, those same men forged declarations of liberty that shook the world. As a mass, they lifted their vision beyond the self, proclaiming principles of fraternity and equality. What none could conceive in solitude, they conceived in unity. Their collective spirit, though later marred by excess, bore the stamp of Montesquieu’s wisdom: that the people together may embody a dignity far beyond their individual failings.

Another mirror of this truth is seen in the soldiers of Thermopylae. Alone, each warrior of Sparta might have been tempted to flee before the countless hosts of Persia. Fear is powerful when carried in one breast. Yet together, as a body, those same men stood unmoved, holding the pass with honor until death. The mass gave birth to courage that the individual could not summon alone. Their sacrifice, echoing through the ages, shows that collective spirit often ennobles what solitary fear would corrupt.

But let us not be deceived—Montesquieu does not deny the corruption of mobs, nor the tyranny of crowds when misled. For as easily as the people may rise to honor, they may also descend to madness. Yet here is the heart of his teaching: when men gather with a shared vision of justice, bound by laws and guided by conscience, they become better than themselves. The weaknesses of the individual are tempered by the strengths of the group, and the selfish impulses of one are swallowed up in the honor of the whole.

Therefore, O listener, the lesson is clear: trust not only in the solitary judgment of men, but in the wisdom of collective deliberation. Where one voice may falter, many voices may find balance. Where one man’s heart may be corrupt, the conscience of the people may restrain him. This is why councils, assemblies, and parliaments are born—for in their gathering lies the chance that honor will triumph over selfishness.

Practical is this counsel: seek always the strength of community. Do not isolate yourself in selfish pursuit, nor despair at the faults of individuals, but believe in the higher spirit that emerges when people unite for the common good. Contribute your voice to assemblies of justice, whether in the household, the city, or the nation. Learn to temper your faults by the example of others, and help others rise by offering your strength. In this way, the rogue within each of us is subdued, and the honorable people in the mass may prevail.

So remember Montesquieu’s wisdom: “Men, who are rogues individually, are in the mass very honorable people.” Alone, man falters; together, man ascends. The selfishness of the one can be redeemed by the honor of the many. Let this truth guide your steps, that you may never despair of humanity, but believe always in its capacity to rise, when bound together by justice, courage, and shared hope.