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Full Idea
Men are ruled by many causes: climate, religion, laws, maxims of government, examples drawn from the pasts, customs, manners. Out of them is formed the general spirit of a nation.
Gist of Idea
People are guided by a multitude of influences, from which the spirit of a nation emerges
Source
Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 19.04)
Book Ref
Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.207
A Reaction
This is one step away from Rousseau's general will, which is an attempt to give precise expression to this 'spirit of a nation'.