Michel de Montaigne Quotes

French author, philosopher, and statesman (1533–1592)

Michel de Montaigne (Michel Eyquem, lord of the manor of Montaigne, Dordogne) (28 February 1533 – 13 September 1592) was an influential French Renaissance writer, generally considered to be the inventor of the personal essay.

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Alternative Names: Michel Eyquem de Montaigne • Miquèu Eiquèm de Montanha • Miqueu Eiquem de Montanha

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The most fruitful and natural exercise for our minds is, in my opinion, conversation.

The day of your birth leads you to death as well as to life.

The soul in which philosophy dwells should by its health make even the body healthy. It should make its tranquillity and gladness shine out from within; should form in its own mold the outward demeanor, and consequently arm it with a graceful pride, an active and joyous bearing, and a contented and good-natured countenance. The surest sign of wisdom is constant cheerfulness.

Certes, c'est un subject merveilleusement vain, divers, et ondoyant, que l'homme. Il est malaisé d'y fonder jugement constant et uniforme.

Malice sucks up the greatest part of its own venom, and poisons itself.

We are no nearer heaven on the top of Mount Cenis than at the bottom of the sea; take the distance with your astrolabe. They debase God even to the carnal knowledge of women, to so many times, and so many generations.

A man with nothing to lend should refrain from borrowing.

"is only certain that there is nothing certain, and that nothing is more miserable or more proud than man."Nat. Hist., ii. 7.]

Pride and curiosity are the two scourges of our souls. The latter prompts us to poke our noses into everything, and the former forbids us to leave anything unresolved and undecided.

Like rowers, who advance backward.

Man is certainly stark mad; he cannot make a worm, and yet he will be making gods by dozens.

And to bring in a new word by the head and shoulders, they leave out the old one.

Who does not in some sort live to others, does not live much to himself.

Sorry the man, to my mind, who has not in his own home a place to be all by himself, to pay his court privately to himself, to hide!

Labour not after riches first, and think thou afterwards wilt enjoy them. He who neglecteth the present moment, throweth away all that he hath. As the arrow passeth through the heart, while the warrior knew not that it was coming; so shall his life be taken away before he knoweth that he hath it.