Full Idea
Laws, in the broadest meaning of the term, are the necessary relations that derive from the nature of things.
Gist of Idea
Laws are the necessary relations that derive from the nature of things
Source
Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 01.01)
Book Reference
Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.109
A Reaction
Montesquieu is about to discuss social laws, but this is the clearest statement I have ever met of the essentialist view of the laws of nature.