There is a huge gulf between the man who follows the conventions and laws of his country and the man who sets out to regiment them and to change them. Michel de Montaigne More Quotes by Michel de Montaigne More Quotes From Michel de Montaigne Saying is one thing and doing is another; we are to consider the sermon and the preacher distinctly and apart. Michel de Montaigne sermonspreacherhypocrisy We are neither obstinately nor wilfully to oppose evils, nor truckle under them for want of courage, but that we are naturally to give way to them, according to their condition and our own, we ought to grant free passage to diseases; and I find they stay less with me who let them alone. And I have lost those which are reputed the most tenacious and obstinate of their own defervescence, without any help or art, and contrary to their rules. Let us a little permit nature to take her own way; she better understands her own affairs than we. Michel de Montaigne evilgivingart We trouble our life by thoughts about death, and our death by thoughts about life. Michel de Montaigne life-and-deathtroubledeath I listen with attention to the judgment of all men; but so far as I can remember, I have followed none but my own. Michel de Montaigne rememberattentionmen In his commerce with men I mean him to include- and that principally- those who live only in the memory of books. By means of history he will frequent those great souls of former years. If you want it to be so, history can be a waste of time; it can also be, if you want it to be so, a study bearing fruit beyond price. Michel de Montaigne educationalmemoriesbook We only labor to stuff the memory, and leave the conscience and the understanding unfurnished and void. Michel de Montaigne understandingeducationmemories Adrian, the Emperor, exclaimed incessantly, when dying, "That the crowd of physicians had killed him." Michel de Montaigne physiciansmedicinedying There is no man so good that if he placed all his actions and thoughts under the scrutiny of the laws, he would not deserve hanging ten times in his life. Michel de Montaigne lawactionmen I would rather be an expert on me than on Cicero Michel de Montaigne experts When I dance, I dance; when I sleep, I sleep; yes, and when I walk alone in a beautiful orchard, if my thoughts drift to far-off matters for some part of the time for some other part I lead them back again to the walk, the orchard, to the sweetness of this solitude, to myself. Michel de Montaigne simplicitysleepbeautiful There never were, in the world, two opinions alike, no more than two hairs, or two grains; the most universal quality is diversity. Michel de Montaigne justicehairtwo Death, they say, acquits us of all obligations. Michel de Montaigne obligationdyingdeath Ambition is not a vice of little people. Michel de Montaigne ambitioninspirationalpeople Let us a little permit nature to take her own way; she better understands her own affairs than we. Michel de Montaigne experiencenaturelittles The souls of emperors and cobblers are cast in the same mold...The same reason that makes us wrangle with a neighbor creates a war betwixt princes. Michel de Montaigne equalitysoulwar It is setting a high value upon our opinions to roast men and women alive on account of them. Michel de Montaigne opinionalivemen I am afraid that our eyes are bigger than our stomachs, and that we have more curiosity than understanding. We grasp at everything, but catch nothing except wind. Michel de Montaigne understandingeyewind The soul that has no established aim loses itself Michel de Montaigne aimlosessoul Greatness of soul consists not so much in soaring high and in pressing forward, as in knowing how to adapt and limit oneself. Michel de Montaigne greatnessknowingsoul We should rather examine, who is better learned, than who is more learned. Michel de Montaigne should
