Quote

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

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Michel de Montaigne
Age: 59 †
Born: 1533
Born: February 28
Died: 1592
Died: September 13
Autobiographer
Essayist
French Moralist
Jurist
Philosopher
Poet Lawyer
Politician
Translator
Writer
Michel Eyquem de Montaigne
Miquèu Eiquèm de Montanha
Miqueu Eiquem de Montanha
Kind
Conform
Conformity
Stealing
Senses
Freedom
Inspirational
Lethargy
Others
Steals
Soul
Finer

More quotes by Michel de Montaigne

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Ambition is, of all other, the most contrary humor to solitude and glory and repose are so inconsistent that they cannot possibly inhabit one and the same place and for so much as I understand, those have only their arms and legs disengaged from the crowd, their mind and intention remain engaged behind more than ever.
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Nothing fixes a thing so intensely in the memory as the wish to forget it.
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Writing does not cause misery. It is born of misery.
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One open way of speaking introduces another open way of speaking, and draws out discoveries, like wine and love.
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Almost all the opinions we have are taken on authority and on credit.
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Example is a bright looking-glass, universal and for all shapes to look into.
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There is perhaps no more obvious vanity than to write of it so vainly.
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I quote others only in order the better to express myself.
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I must use these great men's virtues as a cloak for my weakness.
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Every day I hear stupid people say things that are not stupid.
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The world is but a school of inquisition it is not who shall enter the ring, but who shall run the best courses.
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I love those historians that are either very simple or most excellent. Such as are between both (which is the most common fashion), it is they that spoil all they will needs chew our meat for us and take upon them a law to judge, and by consequence to square and incline the story according to their fantasy.
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It is commonly seene by experience, that excellent memories do rather accompany weake judgements.
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There is, nevertheless, a certain respect and a general duty of humanity that ties us, not only to beasts that have life and sense, but even to trees and plants.
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All other knowledge is hurtful to him who has not honesty and good-nature
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Don't be afraid to say what you are not afraid to think
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Books are pleasant, but if by being over-studious we impair our health and spoil our good humour, two of the best things we have, let us give it over. I, for my part, am one of those who think no fruit derived from them can recompense so great a loss.
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To how many blockheads of my time has a cold and taciturn demeanor procured the credit of prudence and capacity!
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If not for that of conscience, yet at least for ambition's sake, let us reject ambition, let us disdain that thirst of honor and renown, so low and mendicant that it makes us beg it of all sorts of people.
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Let us not be ashamed to speak what we shame not to think.
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