And not to serve for a table-talk. Michel de Montaigne More Quotes by Michel de Montaigne More Quotes From Michel de Montaigne I have never seen a greater monster or miracle in the world than myself. Michel de Montaigne miraclemonstersworld The conduct of our lives is the true mirror of our doctrine. Michel de Montaigne doctrinemirrorsexample We judge a horse not only by its pace on a racecourse, but also by its walk, nay, when resting in its stable. Michel de Montaigne horsepacejudging I am myself the matter of my book. Michel de Montaigne matterbook We are all patchwork, and so shapeless and diverse in composition that each bit, each moment, plays its own game. Michel de Montaigne momentsgamesplay The births of all things are weak and tender and therefore we should have our eyes intent on beginnings. Michel de Montaigne new-beginningseyeshould-have Love to his soul gave eyes; he knew things are not as they seem. The dream is his real life; the world around him is the dream. Michel de Montaigne eyerealdream We cannot be held to what is beyond our strength and means; for at times the accomplishment and execution may not be in our power, and indeed there is nothing really in our own power except the will: on this are necessarily based and founded all the principles that regulate the duty of man. Michel de Montaigne principlesmenmean It is in the enjoyment and not in mere possession that makes for happiness. Michel de Montaigne enjoymentmerepossession The most certain sign of wisdom is a continual cheerfulness; her state is like that of things in the regions above the moon, always clear and serene. Michel de Montaigne statesmoonwisdom When I am attached by gloomy thoughts, nothing helps me so much as running to my books. They quickly absorb me and banish the clouds from my mind. Michel de Montaigne depressionrunningbook Whenever a new finding is reported to the world people say - It is probably not true. Later on, when the reliability of a new finding has been fully confirmed, people say - OK, it may be true but it has no real significance. At last, when even the significance of the finding is obvious to everybody, people say - Well, it might have some significance, but the idea is not new. Michel de Montaigne realpeopleideas Nothing fixes a thing so intensely in the memory as the wish to forget it. Michel de Montaigne criminal-mindwishmemories Take care that old age does not wrinkle your spirit even more than your face. Michel de Montaigne wrinklesagedoe Life itself is neither a good nor an evil: life is where good or evil find a place, depending on how you make it for them. Michel de Montaigne words-of-wisdomethicsevil A man should not so much respect what he eats, as with whom he eats. Michel de Montaigne cookingfoodmen The world is but a perpetual see-saw. Michel de Montaigne perpetualsawsworld We are more unhappy to see people ahead of us than happy to see people behind us. Michel de Montaigne sadunhappypeople We are all of us richer than we think we are; but we are taught to borrow and to beg, and brought up more to make use of what is another's than of our own. Michel de Montaigne taughtusethinking Things are not bad in themselves, but our cowardice makes them so. Michel de Montaigne cowardice
