These words, written by Montesquieu, illustrate the intellectual reason that inspired the political thought of the French jurist and philosopher, a representative of early Liberalism, who theorized about the creation of intermediate, independent and pluralistic institutions in order to avoid the State’s concentration of powers and promote general interest. The director of the Real Academia de la Historia, Carmen Iglesias, presents a biographical sketch of Montesquieu and outlines his influence and interest today in relation to the organization of political power and individual freedom.