Quotes by Michel de Montaigne
He who fears he shall suffer, already suffers what he fears.
Montaigne, Michel de
I quote others only in order the better to express myself.
Montaigne, Michel de
If falsehood, like truth, had but one face, we would be more on equal terms. For we would consider the contrary of what the liar said to be certain. But the opposite of truth has a hundred thousand faces and an infinite field.
Montaigne, Michel de
The laws of conscience, which we pretend to be derived from nature, proceed from custom.
Montaigne, Michel de
Nothing fixes a thing so intensely in the memory as the wish to forget it.
Montaigne, Michel de
The finest thing in the world is knowing how to belong to oneself.
Montaigne, Michel de
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.
Montaigne, Michel de
It is not without good reason said, that he who has not a good memory should never take upon him the trade of lying.
Montaigne, Michel de
Rejoice in the things that are present; all else is beyond thee.
Montaigne, Michel de
Experience has taught me this, that we undo ourselves by impatience. Misfortunes have their life and their limits, their sickness and their health.
Montaigne, Michel de
Not being able to govern events, I govern myself, and apply myself to them, if they will not apply themselves to me.
Montaigne, Michel de
We find our energies are actually cramped when we are overanxious to succeed.
Montaigne, Michel de
There are defeats more triumphant than victories.
Montaigne, Michel de
In the education of children there is nothing like alluring the interest and affection; otherwise you only make so many asses laden with books.
Montaigne, Michel de