Michel de Montaigne
Riches, like glory or health, have no more beauty or pleasure than their possessor is pleased to lend them.
Michel de MontaigneWhen I play with my cat, who knows whether she is not amusing herself with me more than I with her.
Michel de MontaigneThere are few men who dare to publish to the world the prayers they make to Almighty God.
Michel de MontaigneI quote others only in order the better to express myself
Michel de MontaigneIn nine lifetimes, you'll never know as much about your cat as your cat knows about you.
Michel de MontaigneEveryone may speak truly, but to speak logically, prudently, and adequately is a talent few possess.
Michel de MontaigneHe who would teach men to die would at the same time teach them to live.
Michel de MontaigneLet us permit nature to have her way. She understands her business better than we do.
Michel de MontaigneIt is easier to write an indifferent poem than to understand a good one.
Michel de MontaigneWe can be knowledgeable with other men's knowledge, but we cannot be wise with other men's wisdom.
Michel de MontaigneThe most profound joy has more of gravity than of gaiety in it.
Michel de MontaigneThere is no course of life so weak and sottish as that which is managed by order, method, and discipline.
Michel de MontaigneThe soul which has no fixed purpose in life is lost; to be everywhere, is to be nowhere.
Michel de MontaigneThere 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 MontaigneSince we cannot match it let us take our revenge by abusing it.
Michel de MontaigneNo wind serves him who addresses his voyage to no certain port.
Michel de MontaigneThe 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 MontaigneThere 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 MontaigneHow many things which served us yesterday as articles of faith, are fables for us today.
Michel de MontaigneHe who lives not to others, lives little to himself.
Michel de MontaigneThe most evident token and apparent sign of true wisdom is a constant and unconstrained rejoicing.
Michel de MontaigneNothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.
Michel de MontaigneMarriage is like a cage; one sees the birds outside desperate to get in, and those inside equally desperate to get out.
Michel de MontaigneHow many worthy men have we seen survive their own reputation!
Michel de MontaigneA wise man sees as much as he ought, not as much as he can.
Michel de Montaigne