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Quotes from Michel de Montaigne

And truly Philosophy is but sophisticated poetry. Whence do those ancient writers derive all their authority but from the poets?
~ Michel de Montaigne
The only thing certain is nothing is certain.
~ Michel de Montaigne
He who fears he shall suffer already suffers what he fears.
~ Michel de Montaigne
True freedom is to have power over oneself for everything.
~ Michel de Montaigne
Man is quite insane. He wouldn?t know how to create a maggot, and he creates Gods by the dozen.
~ Michel de Montaigne
Socrates thought and so do I that the wisest theory about the gods is no theory at all.
~ Michel de Montaigne
God defend me from myself.
~ Michel de Montaigne
Hath God obliged himself not to exceed the bounds of our knowledge?
~ Michel de Montaigne
God sends the cold according to the coat.
~ Michel de Montaigne
It is good to rub and polish our brain against that of others.
~ Michel de Montaigne
It is the mind that maketh good or ill, That maketh wretch or happy, rich or poor.
~ Michel de Montaigne
Every abridgement of a good book is a fool abridged.
~ Michel de Montaigne
I give my opinion not as being good, but as being my own.
~ Michel de Montaigne
It is very easy to accuse a government of imperfection, for all mortal things are full of it.
~ Michel de Montaigne
There is not much less vexation in the government of a private family than in the managing of an entire state.
~ Michel de Montaigne
It is in the enjoyment and not in mere possession that makes for happiness.
~ Michel de Montaigne
Plenty and indigence depend upon the opinion every one has of them; and riches, like glory of health, have no more beauty or pleasure than their possessor is pleaded to lend them.
~ Michel de Montaigne
As far as I am concerned, no road that would lead us to health is either arduous or expensive.
~ Michel de Montaigne
I must accommodate my history to the hour: I may presently change, not only by fortune, but also by intention.
~ Michel de Montaigne
The only good histories are those that have been written by the persons themselves who commanded in the affairs whereof they write.
~ Michel de Montaigne
Honesty is a question of right and wrong, not a matter of policy
~ Michel de Montaigne
It is not without good reason, that he who has not a good memory should never take upon him the trade of lying.
~ Michel de Montaigne
Confidence in others' honesty is no light testimony of one's own integrity.
~ Michel de Montaigne
He who is not sure of his memory, should not undertake the trade of lying.
~ Michel de Montaigne