Combien de choses nous servoyent hier d’articles de foy, qui nous sont fables aujourd’huy? - Michel de Montaigne

I seek in the reading of my books only to please myself by an irreproachable diversion; or if I study it is for no other science than that which treats of the knowledge of myself, and instructs me how to die and live well.

there is nothing in the whole world madder than bringing matters down to the measure of our own capacities and potentialities.

oddness or novelty (qualities which usually give value to anything)