Full Idea
Although all states share the same general objective, to preserve themselves, each has its own particular purpose (such as aggrandisement, war, religion, commerce, tranquillity, navigation, liberty, pleasures of the ruler, glory, individual independence).
Gist of Idea
All states aim at preservation, and then have distinctive individual purposes
Source
Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 11.05)
Book Reference
Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.181
A Reaction
[he gives examples for each of the list in brackets] I'm trying to think of the distinctive purpose of the UK, and can't get beyond sport, music gigs and comedy shows.