How often our involuntary facial motions testify to the thoughts we were keeping secret, and betray us to those around! Michel de Montaigne More Quotes by Michel de Montaigne More Quotes From Michel de Montaigne Petty vexations may at times be petty, but still they are vexations. The smallest and most inconsiderable annoyances are the most piercing. As small letters weary the eye most, so the smallest affairs disturb us most. Michel de Montaigne piercings eye letters Any time and any place can be used to study: his room, a garden, is table, his bed; when alone or in company; morning and evening. His chief study will be Philosophy, that Former of good judgement and character who is privileged to be concerned with everything. Michel de Montaigne educational morning philosophy Repentance is no other than a recanting of the will, and opposition to our fancies, which lead us which way they please. Michel de Montaigne repentance fancy way There is nothing so extreme that is not allowed by the custom of some nation or other. Michel de Montaigne extremes customs nations Marriage has, for its share, usefulness, justice, honour, and constancy; a stale but more durable pleasure. Love is grounded on pleasure alone, and it is indeed more gratifying to the senses, keener and more acute; a pleasure stirred and kept alive by difficulties. There must be a sting and a smart in it. It ceases to be love if it has no shafts and no fire. Michel de Montaigne smart marriage love If I were a maker of books I should compile a register, with comments, of different deaths. He who should teach people to die, would teach them to live. Michel de Montaigne death book people Even in the midst of compassion we feel within I know not what tart sweet titillation of malicious pleasure in seeing others suffer; children have the same feeling. Michel de Montaigne compassion sweet children My errors are by now natural and incorrigible; but the good that worthy men do the public by making themselves imitable, I shall perhaps do by making myself evitable. Michel de Montaigne imitation errors men I seek in books only to give myself pleasure by honest amusement; or if I study, I seek only the learning that treats of the knowledge of myself and instructs me in how to die well and live well. Michel de Montaigne education giving book The first lessons with which we should irrigate his mind should be those which teach him to know himself, and to know how to die ... and to live. Michel de Montaigne educational lessons mind I must use these great men's virtues as a cloak for my weakness. Michel de Montaigne weakness use men To compose our character is our duty, not to compose books, and to win, not battles and provinces, but order and tranquillity in our conduct. Michel de Montaigne winning character book To philosophize is nothing else than to prepare oneself for death. Michel de Montaigne oneself death It has never occurred to me to wish for empire or royalty, nor for the eminence of those high and commanding fortunes. My aim lies not in that direction; I love myself too well. Michel de Montaigne i-love-myself wish lying Since philosophy is the art which teaches us how to live, and since children need to learn it as much as we do at other ages, why do we not instruct them in it? Michel de Montaigne philosophy children art Though we may be learned by another's knowledge, we can never be wise but by our own experience. Michel de Montaigne being-wise wise may Not because Socrates said so,... I look upon all men as my compatriots. Michel de Montaigne look-up men looks A man has need of tough ears to hear himself fairly judged. Michel de Montaigne ears men needs Every one's true worship was that which he found in use in the place where he chanced to be. Michel de Montaigne use worship found The plague of man is boasting of his knowledge. Michel de Montaigne plague boast men
