Michel de Montaigne Quotes

When a Roman was returning from a trip, he used to send someone ahead to let his wife know, so as not to suprise her in the act.

~ Michel de Montaigne

You can't tell your friends you've been cuckolded; even if he doesn't laugh at you, he may put the information to personal use.

~ Michel de Montaigne

There is no conversation more boring than the one where everybody agrees.

~ Michel de Montaigne

Ambition is not a vice of little people.

~ Michel de Montaigne

When I play with my cat, who knows whether she is not amusing herself with me more than I with her.

~ Michel de Montaigne

He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak.

~ Michel de Montaigne

I consider myself an average man, except in the fact that I consider myself an average man.

~ Michel de Montaigne

Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.

~ Michel de Montaigne

Courtesy is a science of the highest importance. It is ... opening a door that we may derive instruction from the example of others, and at the same time enabling us to benefit them by our example, if there be anything in our character worthy of imitation.

~ Michel de Montaigne

There are some defeats more triumphant than victories.

~ Michel de Montaigne

I despise the pleasure of pleasing people whom I despise.

~ Michel de Montaigne

Ignorance is the mother of all evils.

~ Michel de Montaigne

There is an ABC ignorance which precedes knowledge and a doctoral ignorance which comes after it.

~ Michel de Montaigne

We are great fools: He has spent his life in idleness. We say, "I have done nothing today." Really, have you not lived? This is not only the most fundamental but the most illustrious of your occupations. Have you been able to think about and manage your life? You have managed the greatest burden of all. To compose our nature is our responsibility, not to write books. To gain order and tranquility, not to win battles and provinces, is our goal. Our grand and glorious masterpiece is to live suitably.

~ Michel de Montaigne

Once conform, once do what others do because they do it, and a kind of lethargy steals over all the finer senses of the soul.

~ Michel de Montaigne

I speak the truth not so much as I would, but as much as I dare, and I dare a little more as I grow older.

~ Michel de Montaigne

I quote others only the better to express myself.

~ Michel de Montaigne