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Michel de Montaigne (Philosopher)

He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak.
— Michel de Montaigne men
When I quote others I do so in order to express my own ideas more clearly.
— Michel de Montaigne quote
Lend yourself to others, but give yourself to yourself.
— Michel de Montaigne self
A good marriage would be between a blind wife and a deaf husband.
— Michel De Montaigne marriage
I quote others only in order the better to express myself.
— Michel de Montaigne quote
I speak truth, not so much as I would, but as much as I dare.
— Michel de Montaigne truth
Let us permit Nature to take her own ways; she better understands her own affairs than we.
— Michel de Montaigne nature
I have gathered a posy of other men’s flowers, and nothing but the thread that binds them is mine own.
— Michel de Montaigne men
Physicians have this advantage: the sun lights their success and the earth covers their failures.Book II, ch. 37
— Michel de Montaigne success
Why may not a goose say thus: All the parts of the universe I have an interest in: the earth serves me to walk upon, the sun to light me; the stars have their influence upon me; I have such an advantage by the winds and such by the waters; there is nothing that yon heavenly roof looks upon so favourably as me. I am the darling of Nature! Is it not man that keeps and serves me?Book II, ch. 12. Apology for Raimond Sebond
— Michel de Montaigne art
It should be noted that children at play are not playing about; their games should be seen as their most serious-minded activity.Variants: It should be noted that the games of children are not games, and must be considered as their most serious actions. For truly it is to be noted, that childrens plays are not sports, and should be deemed as their most serious actions. Book I, ch. 23
— Michel de Montaigne children
Montaigne speak of an “Abecedarian” ignorance that precedes knowledge, and a doctoral ignorance that comes after it. The first is the ignorance of those who, not knowing their A-B-C’s, cannot read at all. The second is the ignorance of those who have misread many books.Mortimer Adler, How to Read a Book, p. 4
— Michel de Montaigne knowledge
Quand je me joue à ma chatte, qui sçait si elle passe son temps de moy plus que je ne fay delle?When I play with my cat, who knows if I am not a pastime to her more than she is to me? Book II, ch. 12
— Michel de Montaigne time
Cest une épineuse entreprise, et plus quil ne semble, de suivre une allure si vagabonde que celle de nôtre esprit; de pénétrer les profondeurs opaques de ses replis internes; de choisir et arrêter tant de menus de ses agitations.It is a thorny undertaking, and more so than it seems, to follow a movement so wandering as that of our mind, to penetrate the opaque depths of its innermost folds, to pick out and immobilize the innumerable flutterings that agitate it. Book II, ch. 6
— Michel de Montaigne mind
Wherever your life ends, it is all there. The advantage of living is not measured by length, but by use; some men have lived long, and lived little; attend to it while you are in it. It lies in your will, not in the number of years, for you to have lived enough.Book I, ch. 20
— Michel de Montaigne life
Ceux qui ont apparié notre vie à un songe ont eu de la raisonNous veillons dormants et veillants dormons.Those who have compared our life to a dream were right We are sleeping awake, and waking asleep. Book II, ch. 12
— Michel de Montaigne life
If you press me to say why I loved him, I can say no more than it was because he was he, and I was I.Variants: If a man urge me to tell wherefore I loved him, I feel it cannot be expressed but by answering: Because it was he, because it was myself. If a man should importune me to give a reason why I loved him, I find it could no otherwise be expressed, than by making answer: because it was he, because it was I.
— Michel de Montaigne love
It is the part of cowardice, not of courage, to go and crouch in a hole under a massive tomb, to avoid the blows of fortune.Book II, ch. 3. A Usage of the Island of Cea A Usage of the Island of Cea
— Michel de Montaigne war
Jai seulement fait ici un amas de fleurs étrangères, ny ayant fourni du mien que le filet à les lier.I have gathered a posy of other men’s flowers, and nothing but the thread that binds them is mine own. Book III, ch. 12
— Michel de Montaigne men
The complete, searchable text of the Villey-Saulnier edition from the ARFTL project at the University of Chicago French
— Michel de Montaigne sea
The mariner of old said to Neptune in a great tempest, O God! thou mayest save me if thou wilt, and if thou wilt thou mayest destroy me; but whether or no, I will steer my rudder true.Book II, ch. 16. Of Glory
— Michel de Montaigne god
A true prayer and religious reconciling of ourselves to Almighty God cannot enter into an impure soul, subject at the very time to the dominion of Satan. He who calls God to his assistance whilst in a course of vice, does as if a cut-purse should call a magistrate to help him, or like those who introduce the name of God to the attestation of a lie.Book I, ch. 56. Of Prayers
— Michel de Montaigne god
All passions that suffer themselves to be relished and digested are but moderate.Book I, ch. 2. Of Sorrow
— Michel de Montaigne passion
As far as fidelity is concerned, there is no animal in the world as treacherous as man.Book II, ch. 12
— Michel de Montaigne world
He who does not give himself leisure to be thirsty cannot take pleasure in drinking.Book I, ch. 42
— Michel de Montaigne self
He who is not sure of his memory, should not undertake the trade of lying.Variant: He who is not very strong in memory should not meddle with lying. Book I, ch. 9
— Michel de Montaigne memory
I have never seen a greater monster or miracle in the world than myself.Book III, ch. 11. Of Cripples
— Michel de Montaigne world
Lhomme est bien insensé. Il ne saurait forger un ciron, et forge des Dieux à douzaines.Man is certainly crazy. He could not make a mite, and he makes gods by the dozen. Book II, ch. 12
— Michel de Montaigne god
Make your educational laws strict and your criminal ones can be gentle; but if you leave youth its liberty you will have to dig dungeons for ages.
— Michel de Montaigne education
Nature forms us for ourselves, not for others; to be, not to seem.Book II, ch. 37. Of the Resemblance of Children to their Brothers
— Michel de Montaigne nature
No man is exempt from saying silly things; the mischief is to say them deliberately.Book III, ch. 1
— Michel de Montaigne man
Of all our infirmities, the most savage is to despise our being.Book III, ch. 13 Variant: Of all the infirmities we have, tis the most savage to despise our being. Charles Cotton translation
— Michel de Montaigne book
Que sais-je?What know I? or What do I know? The notion of skepticism is most clearly understood by asking this question.Book II, ch. 12
— Michel de Montaigne book
Stubborn and ardent clinging to ones opinion is the best proof of stupidity.
— Michel de Montaigne stupidity
The most manifest sign of wisdom is a continual cheerfulness; her state is like that in the regions above the moon, always clear and serene.Variant: The most certain sign of wisdom is cheerfulness. Book I, ch. 26
— Michel de Montaigne wisdom
The only good histories are those that have been written by the persons themselves who commanded in the affairs whereof they write.Book II, ch. 10. Of Books
— Michel de Montaigne books
The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them Whether you find satisfaction in life depends not on your tale of years, but on your will.Book I, ch. 20
— Michel de Montaigne life
There is a sort of gratification in doing good which makes us rejoice in ourselves.Book III, ch. 2
— Michel de Montaigne book
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. But since all the precautions that a man can take are full of uneasiness and uncertainty, it is better to prepare with fine assurance for the worst that can happen, and derive some consolation from the fact that we are not sure that it will happen.Book I, ch. 25
— Michel de Montaigne man
Un peu de chaque chose, et rien du tout, a la française.A little of all things, but nothing of everything, after the French manner.On the education of children; Book I, Chapter 26
— Michel de Montaigne education
Variant: There is not much less vexation in the government of a private family than in the managing of an entire state.
— Michel de Montaigne family
We were halves throughout, and to that degree that methinks by outliving him I defraud him of his part.Book I, ch. 27. Of Friendship
— Michel de Montaigne friendship
Wonder is the foundation of all philosophy, research is the means of all learning, and ignorance is the end.
— Michel de Montaigne philosophy

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