The Essays of Michel de Montaigne Quotes

“If a man should importune me to give a reason why I loved him, I find it could no otherwise be expressed, than by making answer: because it was he, because it was I.”

― Michel de Montaigne, The Essays of Michel de Montaigne

topic:lovereason

“Every day travels towards death; the last only arrives at it.”

― Michel de Montaigne, The Essays of Michel de Montaigne

topic:deathtime

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

― Michel de Montaigne, The Essays of Michel de Montaigne

topic:truthagespeech

“There is no desire more natural than that of knowledge.”

― Michel de Montaigne, The Essays of Michel de Montaigne

topic:knowledgedesire

“nothing is so firmly believed, as what we least know;”

― Michel de Montaigne, The Essays of Michel de Montaigne

topic:knowledgebeliefignorance

“I seek, in the reading of books, only to please myself by an honest diversion; or, if I study, 'tis for no other science than what treats of the knowledge of myself, and instructs me how to die and how to live well.”

― Michel de Montaigne, The Essays of Michel de Montaigne

topic:knowledgereadingbooks

“All other knowledge is hurtful to him who has not the science of goodness.”

― Michel de Montaigne, The Essays of Michel de Montaigne

topic:knowledgegoodness

“Not being able to govern events, I govern myself, and apply myself to them, if they will not apply themselves to me.”

― Michel de Montaigne, The Essays of Michel de Montaigne

topic:selfcontrol

“He who fears he shall suffer, already suffers what he fears.”

― Michel de Montaigne, The Essays of Michel de Montaigne

topic:fearsuffering

“The thing in the world I am most afraid of is fear”

― Michel de Montaigne, The Essays of Michel de Montaigne

topic:fear