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When virtue is banished, ambition invades the minds of
those who are disposed to receive it, and avarice
possesses the whole community. The objects of their
desires are changed; what they were fond of before has
become indifferent; they were free while under the
restraint of laws, but they would fain now be free to
act against law; and as each citizen is like a slave
who has run away from his master, that which was a maxim
of equity he calls rigour; that which was a rule of
action he styles constraint;  and to precaution he gives
the name of fear. Frugality, andnot the thirst of gain,
now passes for avarice. Formerly the wealth of
individuals constituted the public treasure; but now
this has become the patrimony of private persons. The
members of the commonwealth riot on the public spoils,
and its strength is only the power of a few, and the
licence of many.

-Montesquieu
The spirit of the laws