Michel de Montaigne (1533 – 1592)
Influential French Renaissance writer, generally considered to be the inventor of the personal essay.
There were never in the world two opinions alike, any more than two hairs or two grains. Their most universal quality is diversity.
Courtesy is a science of the highest importance. It is, like grace and beauty in the body, which charm at first sight, and lead on to further intimacy and friendship, 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.
It is more of a job to interpret the interpretations than to interpret the things, and there are more books about books than about any other subject: we do nothing but write glosses about each other.
The way of the world is to make laws, but follow custom.
Fame and tranquility can never be bedfellows.
There is a sort of gratification in doing good which makes us rejoice in ourselves.
For truth itself does not have the privilege to be employed at any time and in every way; its use, noble as it is, has its circumscriptions and limits.
All of the days go toward death and the last one arrives there.
We can be knowledgeable with other men's knowledge, but we cannot be wise with other men's wisdom.
Virtue refuses facility for her companion ... the easy, gentle, and sloping path that guides the footsteps of a good natural disposition is not the path of true virtue. It demands a rough and thorny road.
Confidence in another man's virtue is no light evidence of a man's own, and God willingly favors such a confidence.
I prefer the company of peasants because they have not been educated sufficiently to reason incorrectly.
Montaigne the I-sayer. “I” as space, not as position.
Even from their infancy we frame them to the sports of love: their instruction, behavior, attire, grace, learning and all their words azimuth only at love, respects only affection. Their nurses and their keepers imprint no other thing in them.
The hedonistic approach to education did make a difference to him. Having been guided early in life by his own curiosity alone, he grew up to be an independent-minded adult, following his own path in everything rather than deferring to duty and discipline.
Ceux qui ont apparié notre vie ? un songe ont eu de la raison...Nous veillons dormants et veillants dormons.
It should be noted that children at play are not playing about; their games should be seen as their most serious-minded activity.
A good marriage would be between a blind wife and a deaf husband.
The sage says that all that is under heaven incurs the same law and the same fate.
I know well what I am fleeing from but not what I am in search of.