Michel de Montaigne quotes - page 11

At the very beginning of my fevers and sicknesses that cast me down, whilst still entire, and but little, disordered in health, I reconcile myself to Almighty God by the last Christian, offices, and find myself by so doing less oppressed and more easy, and have got, methinks, so much the better of my disease. And I have yet less need of a notary or counsellor than of a physician. (Michel de Montaigne)
Labour not after riches first, and think thou afterwards wilt enjoy them. He who neglecteth the present moment, throweth away all that he hath. As the arrow passeth through the heart, while the warrior knew not that it was coming; so shall his life be taken away before he knoweth that he hath it. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
Observe, observe perpetually. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
Arts and sciences are not cast in a mould, but are formed and perfected by degrees, by often handling and polishing, as bears leisurely lick their cubs into form. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
We are no nearer heaven on the top of Mount Cenis than at the bottom of the sea; take the distance with your astrolabe. They debase God even to the carnal knowledge of women, to so many times, and so many generations. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
The first law that ever God gave to man was a law of pure obedience; it was a commandment naked and simple, wherein man had nothing to inquire after, nor to dispute; forasmuch as to obey is the proper office of a rational soul, acknowledging a heavenly superior and benefactor. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
Accustom him to everything, that he may not be a Sir Paris, a carpet-knight, 5 but a sinewy, hardy, and vigorous young man. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
God never sends evils. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
Any person of honor chooses rather to lose his honor than to lose his conscience. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
I set forth a humble and inglorious life; that does not matter. You can tie up all moral philosophy with a common and private life just as well as with a life of richer stuff. Each man bears the entire form of man's estate. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
It is a monstrous thing that I will say, but I will say it all the same: I find in many things more restraint and order in my morals than in my opinions, and my lust less depraved than my reason. (Michel de Montaigne)
The beautiful souls are they that are universal, open, and ready for all things. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
I write to keep from going mad from the contradictions I find among mankind - and to work some of those contradictions out for myself. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
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. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
Wit is a dangerous weapon, even to the possessor, if he knows not how to use it discreetly. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
It is an absolute and virtually divine perfection to know how to enjoy our being rightfully. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
There is perhaps no more obvious vanity than to write of it so vainly. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
How many condemnations I have witnessed more criminal than the crime! View quote
Michel de Montaigne
There is not much less vexation in the government of a private family than in the managing of an entire state. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
Unless a man feels he has a good enough memory, he should never venture to lie. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
I put forward formless and unresolved notions, as do those who publish doubtful questions to debate in the schools, not to establish the truth but to seek it. (Michel de Montaigne)
We are Christians by the same title as we are natives of Perigord or Germany. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
I have often seen people uncivil by too much civility, and tiresome in their courtesy. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
Virtue rejects facility to be her companion. She requires a craggy, rough and thorny way. View quote
Michel de Montaigne
Let us not be ashamed to speak what we shame not to think. View quote
Michel de Montaigne