Quotes from Michel de Montaigne

There is as much difference between us and ourselves as there is between us and others.

Why do people respect the package rather than the man?

There is no desire more natural than the desire of knowledge. (Il n'est desir plus naturel que le desir de connaissance)

It is a disaster that wisdom forbids you to be satisfied with yourself and always sends you away dissatisfied and fearful, whereas stubbornness and foolhardiness fill their hosts with joy and assurance.

I listen with attention to the judgment of all men; but so far as I can remember, I have followed none but my own.

The thing I fear most is fear.

We trouble our life by thoughts about death, and our death by thoughts about life.

If ordinary people complain that I speak too much of myself, I complain that they do not even think of themselves.

Life itself is neither a good nor an evil: life is where good or evil find a place, depending on how you make it for them.

I enjoy books as misers enjoy treasures, because I know I can enjoy them whenever I please.

So it is with minds. Unless you keep them busy with some definite subject that will bridle and control them, they throw themselves in disorder hither and yon in the vague field of imagination... And there is no mad or idle fancy that they do not bring forth in the agitation.

Judgement can do without knowledge: but not knowledge without judgement.

Valor is strength, not of legs and arms, but of heart and soul; it consists not in the worth of our horse or our weapons, but in our own.

The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make to them; a man may live long, yet get little from life. Whether you find satisfaction in life depends not on your tale of years, but on your will - Montaigne, Essays

The soul in which philosophy dwells should by its health make even the body healthy. It should make its tranquillity and gladness shine out from within; should form in its own mold the outward demeanor, and consequently arm it with a graceful pride, an active and joyous bearing, and a contented and good-natured countenance. The surest sign of wisdom is constant cheerfulness.

Don't discuss yourself, for you are bound to lose; if you belittle yourself, you are believed; if you praise yourself, you are disbelieved.

Kings and philosophers defecate, and so do ladies.

When I express my opinions it is so as to reveal the measure of my sight not the measure of the thing.

The finest souls are those that have the most variety and suppleness.

Parce que c'était lui, parce que c'était moi.

There is no more expensive thing than a free gift.

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

The great and glorious masterpiece of man is to live with purpose.

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.