Quotes from Michel de Montaigne

I had rather complain of ill-fortune than be ashamed of victory.

Between ourselves, there are two things that I have always observed to be in singular accord: supercelestial thoughts and subterranean conduct.

The reverse side of truth has a hundred thousand shapes and no defined limits.

There is indeed a certain sense of gratification when we do a good deed that gives us inward satisfaction, and a generous pride that accompanies a good conscience…These testimonies of a good conscience are pleasant; and such a natural pleasure is very beneficial to us; it is the only payment that can never fail. "On Repentance

Our zeal works wonders, whenever it supports our inclination toward hatred, cruelty, ambition.

Rejoice in the things that are present; all else is beyond thee.

We must not attach knowledge to the mind, we have to incorporate it there.

He who fears he will suffer, already suffers from his fear.

I study myself more than any other subject. That is my metaphysics, that is my physics.

In our time the most warlike nations are the most rude and ignorant.

We are, I know not how, double in ourselves, so that what we believe, we disbelieve, and cannot rid ourselves of what we condemn.

Life should be an aim unto itself, a purpose unto itself.

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.

The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them ~

From books all I seek is to give myself pleasure by an honourable pastime: or if I do study, I seek only that branch of learning which deals with knowing myself and which teaches me how to live and die well...

It is putting a very high price on one's conjectures to have someone roasted alive on their account.

Experience has taught me this, that we undo ourselves by impatience. Misfortunes have their life and their limits, their sickness and their health.

No spirited mind remains within itself; it is always aspiring and going beyond its strength; it has impulses beyond its power of achievement.

Such as are in immediate fear of a losing their estates, of banishment, or of slavery, live in perpetual anguish, and lose all appetite and repose; whereas such as are actually poor, slaves, or exiles, ofttimes live as merrily as other folk.

It is an absolute perfection and virtually divine to know how to enjoy our being rightfully. We seek other conditions because we do not understand the use of our own, and go outside of ourselves because we do not know what it is like inside. Yet there is no use our mounting on stilts, for on stilts we must still walk on our own legs. And on the loftiest throne in the world we are still sitting only on our own rump.

No one should be subjected to force over things which belonged to him.

It is only certain that there is nothing certain, and that nothing is more miserable or more proud than man.

We can be knowledgeable with another man's knowledge, but we can't be wise with another man's wisdom.

To learn that we have said or done a foolish thing, that is nothing; we must learn that we are nothing but fools, a far broader and more important lesson.