Michel de Montaigne Quotes about Writing

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We have more poets than judges and interpreters of poetry. It is easier to write an indifferent poem than to understand a good one. There is, indeed, a certain low and moderate sort of poetry, that a man may well enough

We have more poets than judges and interpreters of poetry. It is easier to write an indifferent poem than to understand a good one. There is, indeed, a certain low and moderate sort of poetry, that a man may well enough judge by certain rules of art; but the true, supreme, and divine poesy is equally above all rules and reason. And whoever discerns the beauty of it with the most assured and most steady sight sees no more than the quick reflection of a flash of lightning.

Michel de Montaigne

Art, Writing, Reflection

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.126

I would have every man write what he knows and no more.

Michel de Montaigne

Writing, Men, Knows

Michel de Montaigne (2014). “Shakespeare's Montaigne: The Florio Translation of the Essays, A Selection”, p.59, New York Review of Books

Writing does not cause misery. It is born of misery.

Michel de Montaigne

Writing, Doe, Causes

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

I write to keep from going mad from the contradictions I find among mankind - and to work some of those contradictions out for myself.

Michel de Montaigne

Writing, Mad, Never Quit

An able reader often discovers in other people's writings perfections beyond those that the author put in or perceived, and lends them richer meanings and aspects.

Michel de Montaigne

Writing, People, Perfection

It is easier to write an indifferent poem than to understand a good one.

Michel de Montaigne

Writing, Easier, Indifferent

Michel de Montaigne, Charles Cotton (1711). “Essays of Michael Seigneur de Montaigne: In Three Books with Marginal Notes and Quotations. And an Account of the Author's Life. With a Short Character of the Author and Translator,”, p.325

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

There is perhaps no more obvious vanity than to write of it so vainly.

Michel de Montaigne

Writing, Vanity, Obvious

Michel de Montaigne (1958). “Complete Essays”, p.721, Stanford University Press

Seneca's virtue shows forth so live and vigorous in his writings, and the defense is so clear there against some of these imputations, as that of his wealth and excessive spending, that I would not believe any testimony to the contrary.

Michel de Montaigne

Believe, Writing, Defense

Michel de Montaigne (1979). “Essays”

One man may have some special knowledge at first-hand about the character of a river or a spring, who otherwise knows only what everyone else knows. Yet to give currency to this shred of information, he will undertake to write on the whole science of physics. From this fault many great troubles spring.

Michel de Montaigne

Spring, Writing, Character

Michel de Montaigne (1958). “Essays”

The vulgar and common esteem is seldom happy in hitting right; and I am much mistaken if, amongst the writings of my time, the worst are not those which have most gained the popular applause.

Michel de Montaigne

Writing, Hitting, Common

Michel de Montaigne, George Savile Marquis of Halifax (1743). “Montaigne's Essays in Three Books: With Notes and Quotations. And an Account of the Author's Life. With a Short Character of the Author and Translator”, p.216