142 quotes
I find that the best virtue I have has in it some tincture of vice.
Essais (1571)
For truth itself does not have the privilege to be employed at any time and in every way; its use, noble as it is, has its circumscriptions and limits.
Essais (1571)
To know much is often the cause of doubting more.
Essais (1588)
Is it not a noble farce, wherein kings, republics, and emperors have for so many ages played their parts, and to which the whole vast universe serves for a theatre?
Essais (1571)
I speak truth, not so much as I would, but as much as I dare; and I dare a little the more as I grow older.
Essais (1571)
I have ever loved to repose myself, whether sitting or lying, with my heels as high or higher than my head.
Essais (1571)
The oldest and best known evil was ever more supportable than one that was new and untried.
Essais (1571)
Amongst so many borrowed things, I am glad if I can steal one, disguising and altering it for some new service.
Essais (1571)
There is as much difference between us and ourselves as between us and others.
Essais (1571)
I find that the best goodness I have has some tincture of vice.
Essais (1571)
No matter that we may mount on stilts, we still must walk on our own legs. And on the highest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own bottom.
Essais (1571)
Plato says, "'Tis to no purpose for a sober man to knock at the door of the Muses;" and Aristotle says "that no excellent soul is exempt from a mixture of folly."
Essais (1571)
To call out for the hand of the enemy is a rather extreme measure, yet a better one, I think, than to remain in continual fever over an accident that has no remedy.
Essais (1571)
Wherever your life ends, it is all there. The utility of living consists not in the length of days, but in the use of time; a man may have lived long, and yet lived but a little.
Essais (1571)
There is, nevertheless, a certain respect and a general duty of humanity that ties us, not only to beasts that have life and sense, but even to trees and plants.
Essais (1571)
For my own part, I cannot without grief see so much as an innocent beast pursued and killed that has no defence, and from which we have received no offence at all.
Essais (1571)
One may be humble out of pride.
Essais (1571)
'T is one and the same Nature that rolls on her course, and whoever has sufficiently considered the present state of things might certainly conclude as to both the future and the past.
Essais (1571)
Some impose upon the world that they believe that which they do not; others, more in number, make themselves believe that they believe, not being able to penetrate into what it is to believe.
Essais (1571)
The middle sort of historians (of which the most part are) spoil all; they will chew our meat for us.
Essais (1571)