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Michel de Montaigne Quotes - Page 32

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We cannot do without it, and yet we disgrace and vilify the same. It may be compared to a cage, the birds without despair to get in, and those within despair to get out.

We cannot do without it, and yet we disgrace and vilify the same. It may be compared to a cage, the birds without despair to get in, and those within despair to get out.

Michel de Montaigne
Marriage, Bird, Despair

Women are not altogether in the wrong when they refuse the rules of life prescribed to the World, for men only have established them and without their consent.

Michel de Montaigne
Men, World, Rules Of Life

The height and value of true virtue consists in the facility, utility, and pleasure of its exercise; so far from difficulty, that boys, as well as men, and the innocent as well as the subtle, may make it their own; and it is by order and good conduct, and not by force, that it is to be acquired.

Michel de Montaigne
Exercise, Boys, 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.94

As far as I am concerned, no road that would lead us to health is either arduous or expensive.

Michel de Montaigne
Concerned, Expensive
Michel de Montaigne (1958). “Complete Essays”

My reason is not framed to bend or stoop: my knees are.

Michel de Montaigne
Atheism, Knees, Framed

In general I ask for books that make use of learning, not those that build it up.

Michel de Montaigne
Book, Use, Asks
Michel de Montaigne (1958). “Complete Essays”, p.301, Stanford University Press

It is not my deeds that I write down, it is myself, my essence.

Michel de Montaigne
Writing, Essence, Deeds
Michel de Montaigne (1958). “Complete Essays”, p.274, Stanford University Press

Example is a bright looking-glass, universal and for all shapes to look into.

Michel de Montaigne
Glasses, Example, Looks

No wind favors he who has no destined port.

Michel de Montaigne
Inspirational, Change, Inspiring

There are as many and innumerable degrees of wit, as there are cubits between this and heaven.

Michel de Montaigne
Heaven, Degrees, Wit

The laws keep up their credit, not by being just, but because they are laws; 'tis the mystic foundation of their authority; they have no other, and it well answers their purpose. They are often made by fools; still oftener by men who, out of hatred to equality, fail in equity; but always by men, vain and irresolute authors.

Michel de Montaigne
Men, Law, Hatred
Michel de Montaigne (1877). “The Essays of Montaigne”, p.386

The world is but a school of inquisition; it is not who shall enter the ring, but who shall run the best courses.

Michel de Montaigne
Running, School, World
Michel de Montaigne (2015). “Montaigne's Essays: Top Essays”, p.952, 谷月社

It is much more easy to accuse the one sex than to excuse the other.

Michel de Montaigne
Sex, Men, Excuse
Michel de Montaigne (2014). “Shakespeare's Montaigne: The Florio Translation of the Essays, A Selection”, New York Review of Books

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

Michel de Montaigne
Pride, Giving, Inward
Michel de Montaigne, John Michael Cohen (1959). “Essays”, Penguin Classics

Have you known how to take rest? You have done more than he who hath taken empires and cities.

Michel de Montaigne
Taken, Cities, Done
Michel de Montaigne (2014). “Shakespeare's Montaigne: The Florio Translation of the Essays, A Selection”, p.330, New York Review of Books

Since we cannot match it let us take our revenge by abusing it.

Michel de Montaigne
Revenge

Taking it all in all, I find it is more trouble to watch after money than to get it.

Michel de Montaigne
Money, Watches, Trouble
Michel de Montaigne, Marvin Lowenthal (1999). “The Autobiography of Michel de Montaigne: Comprising the Life of the Wisest Man of His Times : His Childhood, Youth, and Prime : His Adventures in Love and Marriage, at Court, and in Office, War, Revolution, and Plague : His Travels at Home and Abroad : His Habits, Tastes, Whims, and Opinions”, p.101, David R. Godine Publisher

It is the part of cowardliness, and not of virtue, to seek to squat itself in some hollow lurking hole, or to hide herself under some massive tomb, thereby to shun the strokes of fortune.

Michel de Montaigne
Suicide, Suicidal, Virtue

A hair shirt does not always render those chaste who wear it.

Michel de Montaigne
Fashion, Hair, Clothes
Michel de Montaigne (2016). “Delphi Complete Works of Michel de Montaigne (Illustrated)”, p.970, Delphi Classics

Repentance is but a denying of our will, and an opposition of our fantasies.

Michel de Montaigne
Fantasy, Sin, Repentance
Michel de Montaigne (1603). “Essayes”, p.46

There is no desire more natural than the desire of knowledge. (Il n'est desir plus naturel que le desir de connaissance)

Michel de Montaigne
Desire, Natural, Plus

The clatter of arms drowns out the voice of law.

Michel de Montaigne
Law, Voice, Political

Lawyers and physicians are an ill provision for any country.

Michel de Montaigne
Country, Physicians, Lawyer

No man is a hero to his own valet.

Michel de Montaigne
Hero, Men, Political

An untempted woman cannot boast of her chastity.

Michel de Montaigne
Chastity, Boast
Attributed to "Essais" by Michel de Montaigne, 1595.

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