Certainly, if he still has himself, a man of understanding has lost nothing.
Michel de Montaigne
Self-possession, Understanding, Wisdom, Loss, Human Nature
Michel de Montaigne’s Quotes On Topics
Advice | Human Spirit | Happiness | Fate | Self-improvement | Nudity | Harmony | Housekeeping | Lying | Cowardice | Readiness | Admiration | Self-knowledge | Contradictions | Education | Privacy | Perfection | Preparation | Familiarity | Equality | More
More Michel de Montaigne Quotes
“God is favorable to those whom he makes to die by degrees; 'tis the only benefit of old age. The last death will be so much the less painful: it will kill but a quarter of a man or but half a one at most.” Michel de Montaigne
Aging, Death, God, Perspective, Human Condition
Michel de Montaigne Aging, Death, God, Perspective, Human Condition“Petty vexations may at times be petty, but still they are vexations. The smallest and most inconsiderable annoyances are the most piercing. As small letters weary the eye most, so the smallest affairs disturb us most.” Michel de Montaigne
Annoyance, Perspective, Human Nature, Daily Life, Emotional Impact
Michel de Montaigne Annoyance, Perspective, Human Nature, Daily Life, Emotional Impact“I seek in the reading of books, only to please myself, by an honest diversion.” Michel de Montaigne
Reading, Pleasure, Honesty, Leisure, Self-indulgence
Michel de Montaigne Reading, Pleasure, Honesty, Leisure, Self-indulgence“Things are not bad in themselves, but our cowardice makes them so.” Michel de Montaigne
Perception, Cowardice, Human Nature, Reality, Perspective
Michel de Montaigne Perception, Cowardice, Human Nature, Reality, Perspective“There is nothing useless in nature; not even uselessness itself.” Michel de Montaigne
Nature, Purpose, Perspective, Utility, Philosophical Reflection
Michel de Montaigne Nature, Purpose, Perspective, Utility, Philosophical Reflection“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
Knowledge, Ignorance, Religion, Belief, Human Nature
Michel de Montaigne Knowledge, Ignorance, Religion, Belief, Human Nature“It is a stupid presumption to go about despising and condemning as false anything that seems to us improbable; this is a common fault in those who think they have more intelligence than the crowd.” Michel de Montaigne
Presumption, Judgment, Intelligence, Open-mindedness, Human Nature
Michel de Montaigne Presumption, Judgment, Intelligence, Open-mindedness, Human Nature“Obstinacy and dogmatism are the surest signs of stupidity. Is there anything more confident, resolute, disdainful, grave and serious than an ass?” Michel de Montaigne
Stubbornness, Dogmatism, Stupidity, Critique, Metaphor
Michel de Montaigne Stubbornness, Dogmatism, Stupidity, Critique, Metaphor“No-one is exempt from speaking nonsense – the only misfortune is to do it solemnly.” Michel de Montaigne
Foolishness, Speech, Humor, Human Nature, Wisdom
Michel de Montaigne Foolishness, Speech, Humor, Human Nature, Wisdom“True freedom is to have power over oneself for everything.” Michel de Montaigne
Freedom, Self-control, Power, Human Nature, Wisdom
Michel de Montaigne Freedom, Self-control, Power, Human Nature, Wisdom“Rejoice in the things that are present; all else is beyond thee.” Michel de Montaigne
Present Moment, Joy, Wisdom, Human Nature, Contentment
Michel de Montaigne Present Moment, Joy, Wisdom, Human Nature, Contentment“Ceremony forbids us to express by words things that are lawful and natural, and we obey it; reason forbids us to do things unlawful and ill, and nobody obeys it.” Michel de Montaigne
Social Norms, Reason, Human Behavior, Morality, Societal Critique
Michel de Montaigne Social Norms, Reason, Human Behavior, Morality, Societal Critique“The beginnings of all things are weak and tender. We must therefore be clear-sighted in the beginnings, for, as in their budding we discern not the danger, so in their full growth we perceive not the remedy.” Michel de Montaigne
Beginnings, Foresight, Growth, Wisdom, Caution
Michel de Montaigne Beginnings, Foresight, Growth, Wisdom, Caution“No wind serves him who addresses his voyage to no certain port.” Michel de Montaigne
Purpose, Direction, Goals, Life Journey, Wisdom
Michel de Montaigne Purpose, Direction, Goals, Life Journey, Wisdom“To speak less of oneself than what one really is, is folly, not modesty; and to take that for current pay which is under a man's value, is pusillanimity and cowardice.” Michel de Montaigne
Self-worth, Modesty, Honesty, Courage, Human Nature
Michel de Montaigne Self-worth, Modesty, Honesty, Courage, Human Nature“There is a sort of gratification in doing good which makes us rejoice in ourselves.” Michel de Montaigne
Goodness, Self-satisfaction, Morality, Human Nature, Happiness
Michel de Montaigne Goodness, Self-satisfaction, Morality, Human Nature, Happiness“He who does not live in some degree for others, hardly lives for himself.” Michel de Montaigne
Altruism, Life Purpose, Human Nature, Social Responsibility, Wisdom
Michel de Montaigne Altruism, Life Purpose, Human Nature, Social Responsibility, Wisdom“On the highest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own bottom.” Michel de Montaigne
Humility, Power, Human Nature, Perspective, Wisdom
Michel de Montaigne Humility, Power, Human Nature, Perspective, Wisdom