The most beautiful lives, to my mind, are those that conform to the common human pattern, with order, but without miracle and without eccentricity. Michel de Montaigne More Quotes by Michel de Montaigne More Quotes From Michel de Montaigne An orator of past times declared that his calling was to make small things appear to be grand. Michel de Montaigne eloquence calling past Women are more susceptible to pain than to pleasure. Michel de Montaigne pleasure pain emotion Might I have had my own will, I would not have married Wisdom herself, if she would have had me. Michel de Montaigne celibacy married might I set forth notions that are human and my own, simply as human notions considered in themselves, not as determined and decreed by heavenly ordinance. Michel de Montaigne heavenly notion determined For there is no air that men so greedily draw in, that diffuses itself so soon, and that penetrates so deep as that of license. Michel de Montaigne draws air men As great enmities spring from great friendships, and mortal distempers from vigorous health, so do the most surprising and the wildest frenzies from the high and lively agitations of our souls. Michel de Montaigne agitation soul spring If to take up books were to take them in, and if to see them were to consider them, and to run through them were to grasp them, I should be wrong to make myself out quite as ignorant as I say I am. Michel de Montaigne ignorant running book When I was young, beautiful ancient statues were castrated, so that the eye might not be corrupted.... Nothing was gained, unless horses and asses had also been castrated. Michel de Montaigne horse eye beautiful Socrates, who was a perfect model in all great qualities, ... hit on a body and face so ugly and so incongruous with the beauty of his soul, he who was so madly in love with beauty. Michel de Montaigne quality soul perfect In order always to learn something from others (which is the finest school there can be), I observe in my travels this practice: I always steer those with whom I talk back to the things they know best. Michel de Montaigne order travel school As far as I am concerned, no road that would lead us to health is either arduous or expensive. Michel de Montaigne concerned expensive The laws keep up their credit, not by being just, but because they are laws; 'tis the mystic foundation of their authority; they have no other, and it well answers their purpose. They are often made by fools; still oftener by men who, out of hatred to equality, fail in equity; but always by men, vain and irresolute authors. Michel de Montaigne hatred law men Unless a man feels he has a good enough memory, he should never venture to lie. Michel de Montaigne men memories lying Virtue rejects facility to be her companion. She requires a craggy, rough and thorny way. Michel de Montaigne companion virtue way The archer who overshoots his mark does no better than he who falls short of it. Michel de Montaigne archer doe fall The study of books is a drowsy and feeble exercise which does not warm you up. Michel de Montaigne doe exercise book The great and glorious masterpiece of men is to live to the point. All other things-to reign, to hoard, to build-are, at most, but inconsiderable props and appendages. Michel de Montaigne masterpiece reign men Anyone who does not feel sufficiently strong in memory should not meddle with lying. Michel de Montaigne strength strong memories We are Christians by the same title as we are natives of Perigord or Germany. Michel de Montaigne germany titles christian There are as many and innumerable degrees of wit, as there are cubits between this and heaven. Michel de Montaigne wit degrees heaven
