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Michel de Montaigne Quotes

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The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.

The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.

Michel de Montaigne
Respect, Self Esteem, Being Alone
Michel de Montaigne (1958). “Complete Essays”, p.178, Stanford University Press

In plain Truth, it is no Want, but rather Abundance that creates Avarice.

Michel de Montaigne
Avarice Greed, Want, Abundance
"The Essays of Michael Seigneur de Montaigne".

A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears.

Michel de Montaigne
Fear, Happy Life, Men

I quote others only in order the better to express myself.

Michel de Montaigne
Communication, Order, Language
Michel de Montaigne (1856). “The Works of Michael de Montaigne: Comprising His Essays, Letters, and Journey Through Germany and Italy”, p.86

The truth of these days is not that which really is, but what every man persuades another man to believe.

Michel de Montaigne
Truth, Believe, Men
Michel de Montaigne (2015). “Montaigne's Essays: Top Essays”, p.701, 谷月社

My life has been full of terrible misfortunes most of which never happened.

Michel de Montaigne
Inspirational, Funny, Life
Attributed to "Essais" by Michel de Montaigne, 1595.

He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak.

Michel de Montaigne
Anger, Noise, Arguing
Attributed to "Essais" by Michel de Montaigne, 1595.

The only thing certain is nothing is certain.

Michel de Montaigne
Positive, Wise, Wisdom

There is no more expensive thing than a free gift.

Michel de Montaigne
Free Gifts, Expensive

The most certain sign of wisdom is cheerfulness.

Michel de Montaigne
Happiness, Cheerful, Certain
Michel de Montaigne, Bayle St. John (1866). “Essays [tr. by Cotton”, p.235

On the highest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own bottom.

Michel de Montaigne
Inspiration, Kids, Humility
Essais bk. 3, ch. 13 (1580)

Not being able to govern events, I govern myself.

Michel de Montaigne
Life, Integrity, Law Of Attraction
Michel de Montaigne (2015). “Montaigne's Essays: Top Essays”, p.679, 谷月社

The lack of wealth is easily repaired but the poverty of the soul is irreplaceable.

Michel de Montaigne
Inspirational, Character, Soul

Nothing is so firmly believed as what we least know.

Michel de Montaigne
Political, Religion, Atheism
Michel de Montaigne (2013). “Michel de Montaigne: Selected Essays”, p.35, Courier Corporation

Don't be afraid to say what you are not afraid to think

Michel de Montaigne
Thinking, Not Afraid

The pleasantest things in the world are pleasant thoughts, and the great art of life is to have as many of them as possible.

Michel de Montaigne
Happiness, Art, Inspirational Life

There is no conversation more boring than the one where everybody agrees.

Michel de Montaigne
Wisdom, Agreement, Political
Attributed to "Essais" by Michel de Montaigne, 1595.

Man is quite insane. He wouldn?t know how to create a maggot, and he creates Gods by the dozen.

Michel de Montaigne
God, Crazy, Men
'Essais' (1580) bk. 2, ch. 12

Only the fools are certain and assured.

Michel de Montaigne
Wisdom, Fool, Certain
Michel de Montaigne (1958). “Complete Essays”, p.111, Stanford University Press

I prefer the company of peasants because they have not been educated sufficiently to reason incorrectly.

Michel de Montaigne
Education, Teaching, Learning
Attributed to "Essais" by Michel de Montaigne, 1595.

The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them... Whether you find satisfaction in life depends not on your tale of years, but on your will.

Michel de Montaigne
Lying, Satisfaction In Life, Years
Attributed to "Essais" by Michel de Montaigne, Book I, Ch. 20, 1595.

A wise man never loses anything, if he has himself.

Michel de Montaigne
Wise, Being Yourself, Men
Michel de Montaigne (1850). “Works, Comprising His Essays, Letters, and Journey Through Germany and Italy: With Notes from All the Commentators, Biographical and Bibliographical Notices &c., &c”, p.129

We must learn to endure what we cannot avoid. Our life is composed, like the harmony of the world, of contrary things, also of different tones, sweet and harsh, sharp and flat, soft and loud. If a musician liked only one kind, what would he have to say?

Michel de Montaigne
Life, Sweet, Diversity
Michel de Montaigne (1963). “Montaigne's Essays and Selected Writings”

We can be knowledgeable with other men's knowledge, but we cannot be wise with other men's wisdom.

Michel de Montaigne
Wise, Wisdom, Smart
Attributed to "Essais" by Michel de Montaigne, Book I, Ch. 25, 1595.

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.

Michel de Montaigne
Evil, Words Of Wisdom, Ethics
Michel de Montaigne (1991). “The essays of Michel de Montaigne”, Lane, Allen

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