Full Idea
Anyone whom his senses inform continually that he is everything, and others nothing, is naturally lazy, voluptuous, and ignorant. Hence the establishment of a vizier, with power the same as his own, is a law fundamental to a despotic state.
Clarification
A 'vizier' is a chief minister
Gist of Idea
Despots are always lazy and ignorant, so they always delegate their power to a vizier
Source
Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 02.05)
Book Reference
Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.124