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Michel de Montaigne Quotes
1533–1592 France
Michel de Montaigne (Michel Eyquem, lord of the manor of Montaigne, Dordogne) (28 February 1533 – 13 September 1592) was an influential French Renaissance writer, generally considered to be the inventor of the personal essay.
France Essayists Mayors Philosophers Also known as: Michel E. de Montaigne, Michel Eyquem, seigneur de Montaigne, Michel Montaigne, Montaigne, Montaigne, Michel de
Random Michel de Montaigne quote
278 quotes
I moreover affirm that our wisdom itself, and wisest consultations, for the most part commit themselves to the conduct of chance.
Essais (1571)
Let us give Nature a chance; she knows her business better than we do.
Essais (1571)
I find that the best virtue I have has in it some tincture of vice.
Essais (1571)
We work merely to fill the memory, leaving the understanding empty.
Essays (1580)
Truly, it is not want, but rather abundance, that breeds avarice.
Like the watermen who advance forward while they look backward.
Words repeated again have as another sound, so another sense.
The Cannibals and savage people do not so much offend me with roasting and eating of dead bodies, as those which torment and persecute the living.
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)
Women when they marry buy a cat in the bag.
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)
When I play with my cat, who knows whether she isn't amusing herself with me more than I am amusing myself with her?
Essays (1580)
The lack of wealth is easily repaired; but the poverty of the soul is irreparable.
Experience teaches that a good memory is generally joined to a weak judgment.
Not merely giving the mind a slight tincture but a thorough and perfect dye.
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)
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