Michel de Montaigne
Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (28 February 1533 - 13 September 1592) was an influential French Renaissance writer, generally considered to be the inventor of the personal essay.
Found 75 thoughts of Michel de Montaigne
Riches, like glory or health, have no more beauty or pleasure than their possessor is pleased to lend them.
Michel de Montaigne
When I play with my cat, who knows whether she is not amusing herself with me more than I with her.
Michel de Montaigne
There are few men who dare to publish to the world the prayers they make to Almighty God.
Michel de Montaigne
In nine lifetimes, you'll never know as much about your cat as your cat knows about you.
Michel de Montaigne
Everyone may speak truly, but to speak logically, prudently, and adequately is a talent few possess.
Michel de Montaigne
Let us permit nature to have her way. She understands her business better than we do.
Michel de Montaigne
We can be knowledgeable with other men's knowledge, but we cannot be wise with other men's wisdom.
Michel de Montaigne
There is no course of life so weak and sottish as that which is managed by order, method, and discipline.
Michel de Montaigne
The soul which has no fixed purpose in life is lost; to be everywhere, is to be nowhere.
Michel de Montaigne
There is no pleasure to me without communication: there is not so much as a sprightly thought comes into my mind that it does not grieve me to have produced alone, and that I have no one to tell it to.
Michel de Montaigne
The finest lives, in my opinion, are those who rank in the common model, and with the human race, but without miracle, without extravagance.
Michel de Montaigne
There is, nevertheless, a certain respect and a general duty of humanity that ties us, not only to beasts that have life and sense, but even to trees and plants.
Michel de Montaigne
How many things which served us yesterday as articles of faith, are fables for us today.
Michel de Montaigne
The most evident token and apparent sign of true wisdom is a constant and unconstrained rejoicing.
Michel de Montaigne
Marriage is like a cage; one sees the birds outside desperate to get in, and those inside equally desperate to get out.
Michel de Montaigne
