This notion [skepticism] is more clearly understood by asking "What do I know?" Michel de Montaigne More Quotes by Michel de Montaigne More Quotes From Michel de Montaigne Obsession is the wellspring of genius and madness. Michel de Montaigne madnessgeniusobsession A straight oar looks bent in the water. It matters not merely that we see a thing, but how we see it. Michel de Montaigne what-matterswaterlooks The plague of man is the opinion of knowledge. That is why ignorance is so recommended by our religion as a quality suitable to belief and obedience. Michel de Montaigne qualityignorancemen He who fears he will suffer, already suffers from his fear. Michel de Montaigne emotionalpowerfulwisdom I quote others in order to better express myself. Michel de Montaigne quotationsorder In my opinion, the most fruitful and natural play of the mind is conversation. I find it sweeter than any other action in life; and if I were forced to choose, I think I would rather lose my sight than my hearing and voice. The study of books is a drowsy and feeble exercise which does not warm you up. Michel de Montaigne exercisewarbook It is only reasonable to allow the administration of affairs to mothers before their children reach the age prescribed by law at which they themselves can be responsible. But that father would have reared them ill who could not hope that in their maturity they would have more wisdom and competence than his wife. Michel de Montaigne familymotherchildren Laws gain their authority from actual possession and custom: it is perilous to go back to their origins; laws, like our rivers, get greater and nobler as they roll along: follow them back upstream to their sources and all you find is a tiny spring, hardly recognizable; as time goes by it swells with pride and grows in strength. Michel de Montaigne pridelawspring There is as much difference between us and ourselves as there is between us and others. Michel de Montaigne patchworkdifferences Friendship is a creature formed for a companionship not for a herd. Michel de Montaigne companionshipherdscreatures I agree that we should work and prolong the functions of life as far as we can, and hope that Death may find me planting my cabbages, but indifferent to him and still more to the unfinished state of my garden. Michel de Montaigne gardenworkdeath I go out of my way, but rather by license than carelessness.... It is the inattentive reader Michel de Montaigne inattentionreadinglittles Learning is a good medicine: but no medicine is powerful enough to preserve itself from taint and corruption independently of defects in the jar that it is kept in. One man sees clearly but does not see straight: consequently he sees what is good but fails to follow it; he sees knowledge and does not use it. Michel de Montaigne educationalpowerfulmen I never rebel so much against France as not to regard Paris with a friendly eye; she has had my heart since my childhood... I love her tenderly, even to her warts and her spots. I am French only by this great city: the glory of France, and one of the noblest ornaments of the world. Michel de Montaigne eyecitiesheart I love those historians that are either very simple or most excellent. Such as are between both (which is the most common fashion), it is they that spoil all; they will needs chew our meat for us and take upon them a law to judge, and by consequence to square and incline the story according to their fantasy. Michel de Montaigne fashionsimplelove Since we cannot attain unto it, let us revenge ourselves by railing at it; and yet it is not absolutely railing against anything, to proclaim its defects, because they are in all things to be found, how beautiful or how much to be coveted soever. Michel de Montaigne criticscriticismrevenge Now, since everything else is furnished with the exact amount of needle and thread required to maintain its being, it is in truth incredible that we alone should be brought into the world in a defective and indigent state, in a state such that we cannot maintain ourselves without external aid. Michel de Montaigne aidsincrediblesworld Indeed, there is no such thing as an altogether ugly woman — or altogether beautiful. Michel de Montaigne uglywomenbeautiful Philosophical discussions habitually make men happy and joyful not frowning and sad. Michel de Montaigne words-of-wisdomphilosophicalmen If health and a fair day smile upon me, I am a very good fellow; if a corn trouble my toe, I am sullen, out of humor, and inaccessible. Michel de Montaigne sullencorntoes
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