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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
Even on the most exalted throne in the world we are only sitting on our own bottom.
The Essays of Michel de Montaigne (1580)
There is as much difference between us and ourselves as between us and others.
Essais (1571)
On the highest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own bottom.
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)
A wise man loses nothing, if he but save himself.
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)
Whom conscience, ne'er asleep,
The publick weal requires that a man should betray, and lye, and massacre.
Age imprints more wrinkles on the mind than it does on the face.
A man must either imitate the vicious or hate them.
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)
How many things served us yesterday for articles of faith, which today are fables for us?
Essais (1571)
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