Michel de Montaigne Quotes

He who does not give himself leisure to be thirsty cannot take pleasure in drinking.

A true prayer and religious reconciling of ourselves to Almighty God cannot enter into an impure soul, subject at the very time to the dominion of Satan. He who calls God to his assistance whilst in a course of vice, does as if a cut-purse should call a magistrate to help him, or like those who introduce the name of God to the attestation of a lie.

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

L'homme d'entendement n'a rien perdu, s'il a soi-même.

Philosophy is but sophisticated poetry.

I am further of opinion that it would be better for us to have [no laws] at all than to have them in so prodigious numbers as we have.

Arts and sciences are not cast in a mould, but are formed and perfected by degrees, by often handling and polishing, as bears leisurely lick their cubs into form.

Marriage is like a cage one sees the birds outside desperate to get in, and those inside desperate to get out...

Don't discuss yourself, for you are bound to lose; if you belittle yourself, you are believed; if you praise yourself, you are disbelieved.

The customs and practices of life in society sweep us along.

If I speak of myself in different ways, that is because I look at myself in different ways.

My trade and my art is living.

Covetousness is both the beginning and the end of the devil's alphabet— the first vice in corrupt nature that moves, and the last which dies.

Let us grant to political government to endure them with patience, however unworthy; to conceal their vices; and to assist them with our recommendation in their indifferent actions, whilst their authority stands in need of our support.

All passions that suffer themselves to be relished and digested are but moderate.