Full Idea
It is unreasonable to impute to men, as Hobbes does, the desire to subjugate one another. The idea of sovereignty [l'empire] and domination is so complex and depends on so many other ideas, that it could not be the first to occur to men.
Gist of Idea
Men do not desire to subjugate one another; domination is a complex and advanced idea
Source
Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 01.02)
Book Reference
Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.112
Related Idea
Idea 19961 Primitive people would be too vulnerable and timid to attack anyone, so peace would reign [Montesquieu]