Full Idea
How could a despot permit honour? Honour depends upon scorning life; the despot has power only because he can deprive men of life. How could honour tolerate the despot? Honour has fixed rules, ...but the despot has no rule.
Gist of Idea
Despotism and honour are incompatible, because honour scorns his power, and lives by rules
Source
Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 03.08)
A Reaction
The old German aristocracy seem to have been utterly alienated and isolated by the Nazi regime.
Book Reference
Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.131