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I see men ordinarily more eager to discover a reason for things than to find out whether the things are so.

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
Whether
Reason
Find
Things
Ordinarily
Men
Eager
Libertarian
Discover
Knowledge

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Example is a bright looking-glass, universal and for all shapes to look into.
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The first lessons with which we should irrigate his mind should be those which teach him to know himself, and to know how to die ... and to live.
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The archer who overshoots his mark does no better than he who falls short of it.
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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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The reverse side of truth has a hundred thousand shapes and no defined limits.
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When I play with my cat, who knows whether she is not amusing herself with me more than I with her.
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We are more unhappy to see people ahead of us than happy to see people behind us.
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A man has need of tough ears to hear himself fairly judged.
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Don't be afraid to say what you are not afraid to think
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Things seem greater by imagination than they are in effect.
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Intelligence is required to be able to know that a man knows not.
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In my youth I studied for ostentation later, a little to gain wisdom now, for recreation never for gain.
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Take care that old age does not wrinkle your spirit even more than your face.
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Writing does not cause misery. It is born of misery.
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Dreams are faithful interpreters of our inclinations but there is art required to sort and understand them.
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An orator of past times declared that his calling was to make small things appear to be grand.
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We have no participation in Being, because all human nature is ever midway between being born and dying, giving off only a vague image and shadow of itself, and a weak and uncertain opinion. And if you chance to fix your thoughts on trying to grasp its essence, it would be neither more nor less than if your tried to clutch water.
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There is nothing which so poisons princes as flattery, nor anything whereby wicked men more easily obtain credit and favor with them.
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When we have got it, we want something else.
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There is no doubt that Greek and Latin are great and handsome ornaments, but we buy them too dear.
Michel de Montaigne