Full Idea
Aristocratic families ought to be, as much as possible, members of the people. The more an aristocracy resembles a democracy, the more perfect it is; the more it resembles a monarchy, the more imperfect.
Gist of Idea
Aristocracy is democratic if they resemble the people, but not if they resemble the monarch
Source
Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 02.03)
Book Reference
Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.121
A Reaction
Aristocrats far from the big cities seem remarkably like the rest of the people. As soon as they approach the monarch's court, they aspire to dignity and power, and begin to spurn the citizens.