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Michel de Montaigne

Michel de Montaigne

Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (French pronunciation: [miʃɛl ekɛm də mɔ̃tɛɲ]) (February 28, 1533–September 13, 1592) was one of the most influential writers of the French Renaissance. Montaigne is known for popularizing the essay as a literary genre. He became famous for his effortless ability to merge...
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Each man calls barbarism whatever is not his own practice...for we have no other criterion of reason than the example and idea of the opinions and customs of the country we live in.

Each man calls barbarism whatever is not his own practice...for we have no other criterion of reason than the example and idea of the opinions and customs of the country we live in.

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Who does not in some sort live to others, does not live much to himself.

Who does not in some sort live to others, does not live much to himself.

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Even on the most exalted throne in the world we are only sitting on our own bottom.

Even on the most exalted throne in the world we are only sitting on our own bottom.

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Princes give me sufficiently if they take nothing from me, and do me much good if they do me no hurt; it is all I require of them.

Princes give me sufficiently if they take nothing from me, and do me much good if they do me no hurt; it is all I require of them.

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Whether you find satisfaction in life depends not on your tale of years, but on your will.

Whether you find satisfaction in life depends not on your tale of years, but on your will.

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Socrates thought and so do I that the wisest theory about the gods is no theory at all.

Socrates thought and so do I that the wisest theory about the gods is no theory at all.

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No man is so exquisitely honest or upright in living, but that ten times in his life he might not lawfully be hanged.

No man is so exquisitely honest or upright in living, but that ten times in his life he might not lawfully be hanged.

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In true education, anything that comes to our hand is as good as a book: the prank of a page- boy, the blunder of a servant, a bit of table talk -- they are all part of the curriculum.

In true education, anything that comes to our hand is as good as a book: the prank of a page- boy, the blunder of a servant, a bit of table talk -- they are all part of the curriculum.

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The most profound joy has more of gravity than of gaiety in it.

The most profound joy has more of gravity than of gaiety in it.

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The worst of my actions or conditions seem not so ugly unto me as I find it both ugly and base not to dare to avouch for them.

The worst of my actions or conditions seem not so ugly unto me as I find it both ugly and base not to dare to avouch for them.

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Taking it all in all, I find it is more trouble to watch after money than to get it.

Taking it all in all, I find it is more trouble to watch after money than to get it.

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Every abridgement of a good book is a fool abridged.

Every abridgement of a good book is a fool abridged.

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Lying is a terrible vice, it testifies that one despises God, but fears men.

Lying is a terrible vice, it testifies that one despises God, but fears men.

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I love those historians that are either very simple or most excellent. Such as are between both (which is the most common fashion), it is they that spoil all; they will needs chew our meat for us and take upon them a law to judge, and by consequence to square and incline the story according to their fantasy.

I love those historians that are either very simple or most excellent. Such as are between both (which is the most common fashion), it is they that spoil all; they will needs chew our meat for us and take upon them a law to judge, and by consequence to square and incline the story according to their fantasy.

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It should be noted that children's games are not merely games. One should regard them as their most serious activities.

It should be noted that children's games are not merely games. One should regard them as their most serious activities.

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I quote others in order to better express myself.

I quote others in order to better express myself.

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Death, they say, acquits us of all obligations.

Death, they say, acquits us of all obligations.

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He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak.

He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak.

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I know what I am fleeing from, but not what I am in search of.

I know what I am fleeing from, but not what I am in search of.

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Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.

Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.

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If you don't know how to die, don't worry; Nature will tell you what to do on the spot, fully and adequately. She will do this job perfectly for you; don't bother your head about it.

If you don't know how to die, don't worry; Nature will tell you what to do on the spot, fully and adequately. She will do this job perfectly for you; don't bother your head about it.

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All the world knows me in my book, and may book in me.

All the world knows me in my book, and may book in me.

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In my opinion, the most fruitful and natural play of the mind is in conversation. I find it sweeter than any other action in life; and if I were forced to choose, I think I would rather lose my sight than my hearing and voice. The study of books is a drowsy and feeble exercise which does not warm you up.

In my opinion, the most fruitful and natural play of the mind is in conversation. I find it sweeter than any other action in life; and if I were forced to choose, I think I would rather lose my sight than my hearing and voice. The study of books is a drowsy and feeble exercise which does not warm you up.

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Of all the benefits which virtue confers on us, the contempt of death is one of the greatest.

Of all the benefits which virtue confers on us, the contempt of death is one of the greatest.

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Few men have been admired of their familiars.

Few men have been admired of their familiars.

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Since we cannot attain unto it, let us revenge ourselves with railing against it.

Since we cannot attain unto it, let us revenge ourselves with railing against it.

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We can be knowledgeable with other men's knowledge, but we cannot be wise with other men's wisdom.

We can be knowledgeable with other men's knowledge, but we cannot be wise with other men's wisdom.

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Dying is a very dull, dreary affair. My advice to you is to have nothing whatever to do with it.

Dying is a very dull, dreary affair. My advice to you is to have nothing whatever to do with it.

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No wind favors him who has no destined port.

No wind favors him who has no destined port.

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No profession or occupation is more pleasing than the military; a profession or exercise both noble in execution (for the strongest, most generous and proudest of all virtues is true valor) and noble in its cause. No utility either more just or universal than the protection of the repose or defense of the greatness of one's country. The company and daily conversation of so many noble, young and active men cannot but be well-pleasing to you.

No profession or occupation is more pleasing than the military; a profession or exercise both noble in execution (for the strongest, most generous and proudest of all virtues is true valor) and noble in its cause. No utility either more just or universal than the protection of the repose or defense of the greatness of one's country. The company and daily conversation of so many noble, young and active men cannot but be well-pleasing to you.

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I conceive that pleasures are to be avoided if greater pains be the consequence, and pains to be coveted that will terminate in greater pleasures.

I conceive that pleasures are to be avoided if greater pains be the consequence, and pains to be coveted that will terminate in greater pleasures.

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The confidence in another man's virtue is no light evidence of a man's own, and God willingly favors such a confidence.

The confidence in another man's virtue is no light evidence of a man's own, and God willingly favors such a confidence.

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It is easier to write an indifferent poem than to understand a good one.

It is easier to write an indifferent poem than to understand a good one.

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Confidence in another person's virtue is no light evidence of your own.

Confidence in another person's virtue is no light evidence of your own.

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The strangest, most generous, and proudest of all virtues is true courage.

The strangest, most generous, and proudest of all virtues is true courage.

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It is the part of cowardliness, and not of virtue, to seek to squat itself in some hollow lurking hole, or to hide herself under some massive tomb, thereby to shun the strokes of fortune.

It is the part of cowardliness, and not of virtue, to seek to squat itself in some hollow lurking hole, or to hide herself under some massive tomb, thereby to shun the strokes of fortune.

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But sure there is need of other remedies than dreaming, a weak contention of art against nature.

But sure there is need of other remedies than dreaming, a weak contention of art against nature.

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There is no course of life so weak and Scottish as that which is ordered by orders, method, and discipline.

There is no course of life so weak and Scottish as that which is ordered by orders, method, and discipline.

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He who is not very strong in memory should not meddle with lying.

He who is not very strong in memory should not meddle with lying.

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Even from their infancy we frame them to the sports of love: their instruction, behavior, attire, grace, learning and all their words azimuth only at love, respects only affection. Their nurses and their keepers imprint no other thing in them.

Even from their infancy we frame them to the sports of love: their instruction, behavior, attire, grace, learning and all their words azimuth only at love, respects only affection. Their nurses and their keepers imprint no other thing in them.

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One may disavow and disclaim vices that surprise us, and whereto our passions transport us; but those which by long habits are rooted in a strong and powerful will are not subject to contradiction. Repentance is but a denying of our will, and an opposition of our fantasies.

One may disavow and disclaim vices that surprise us, and whereto our passions transport us; but those which by long habits are rooted in a strong and powerful will are not subject to contradiction. Repentance is but a denying of our will, and an opposition of our fantasies.

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My home...It is my retreat and resting place from wars, I try to keep this corner as a haven against the tempest outside, as I do another corner in my soul.

My home...It is my retreat and resting place from wars, I try to keep this corner as a haven against the tempest outside, as I do another corner in my soul.

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True it is that she who escapeth safe and unpolluted from out the school of freedom, giveth more confidence of herself than she who comet sound out of the school of severity and restraint.

True it is that she who escapeth safe and unpolluted from out the school of freedom, giveth more confidence of herself than she who comet sound out of the school of severity and restraint.

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There are few men who dare to publish to the world the prayers they make to Almighty God.

There are few men who dare to publish to the world the prayers they make to Almighty God.

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The most unhappy and frail creatures are men and yet they are the proudest.

The most unhappy and frail creatures are men and yet they are the proudest.

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In the education of children there is nothing like alluring the interest and affection, otherwise you only make so many asses laden with books.

In the education of children there is nothing like alluring the interest and affection, otherwise you only make so many asses laden with books.

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I tell the truth, not as much as I would like to, but as much as I dare. I dare more and more as I grow older.

I tell the truth, not as much as I would like to, but as much as I dare. I dare more and more as I grow older.

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A good marriage would be between a blind wife and a deaf husband.

A good marriage would be between a blind wife and a deaf husband.

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He who lives not to others, lives little to himself.

He who lives not to others, lives little to himself.

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Nature should have been pleased to have made this age miserable, without making it also ridiculous.

Nature should have been pleased to have made this age miserable, without making it also ridiculous.

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I was not long since in a company where I was not who of my fraternity brought news of a kind of pills, by true account, composed of a hundred and odd several ingredients; whereat we laughed very heartily, and made ourselves good sport; for what rock so hard were able to resist the shock or withstand the force of so thick and numerous a battery?

I was not long since in a company where I was not who of my fraternity brought news of a kind of pills, by true account, composed of a hundred and odd several ingredients; whereat we laughed very heartily, and made ourselves good sport; for what rock so hard were able to resist the shock or withstand the force of so thick and numerous a battery?

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Who feareth to suffer suffereth already, because he feareth.

Who feareth to suffer suffereth already, because he feareth.

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I care not so much what I am in the opinion of others, as what I am in my own; I would be rich of myself and not by borrowing.

I care not so much what I am in the opinion of others, as what I am in my own; I would be rich of myself and not by borrowing.

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Of all the infirmities we have, the most savage is to despise our being.

Of all the infirmities we have, the most savage is to despise our being.

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To honor him whom we have made is far from honoring him that hath made us..

To honor him whom we have made is far from honoring him that hath made us..

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I want death to find me planting my cabbage

I want death to find me planting my cabbage

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For truly it is to be noted, that children's plays are not sports, and should be deemed as their most serious actions.

For truly it is to be noted, that children's plays are not sports, and should be deemed as their most serious actions.

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All the fame you should look for in life is to have lived it quietly.

All the fame you should look for in life is to have lived it quietly.

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We cannot do without it, and yet we disgrace and vilify the same. It may be compared to a cage, the birds without despair to get in, and those within despair to get out.

We cannot do without it, and yet we disgrace and vilify the same. It may be compared to a cage, the birds without despair to get in, and those within despair to get out.

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Obstinacy is the sister of constancy, at least in vigor and stability.

Obstinacy is the sister of constancy, at least in vigor and stability.

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