Quote

The pleasantest things in the world are pleasant thoughts, and the great art of life is to have as many of them as possible.

Michel de Montaigne

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

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
Life
Thoughts
World
Joy
Possible
Happiness
Art
Many
Great
Pleasantest
Things
Pleasant

More quotes by Michel de Montaigne

Image
I conceive that pleasures are to be avoided if greater pains be the consequence, and pains to be coveted that will terminate in greater pleasures.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
The share we have in the knowledge of truth, such as it is, has not been acquired by our own powers. God has taught ushis wonderful secrets our faith is not of our acquiring, it is purely the gift of another's bounty.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
He that first likened glory to a shadow did better than he was aware of. They are both of them things excellently vain. Glory also, like a shadow, goes sometimes before the body, and sometimes in length infinitely exceeds it.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
Teach him a certain refinement in sorting out and selecting his arguments, with an affection for relevance and so for brevity. Above all let him be taught to throw down his arms and surrender to truth as soon as he perceives it, whether the truth is born at his rival's doing or within himself from some change in his ideas.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
Friendship is the highest degree of perfection in society.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
It is fear that I stand most in fear of, in sharpness it exceeds every other feeling.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
We are nearer neighbors to ourselves than the whiteness of snow or the weight of stones are to us: if man does not know himself, how should he know his functions and powers?
Michel de Montaigne
Image
What kind of truth is it which has these mountains as its boundary and is a lie beyond them?
Michel de Montaigne
Image
The confidence in another man's virtue is no light evidence of a man's own, and God willingly favors such a confidence.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
There is indeed a certain sense of gratification when we do a good deed that gives us inward satisfaction, and a generous pride that accompanies a good conscience…These testimonies of a good conscience are pleasant and such a natural pleasure is very beneficial to us it is the only payment that can never fail. “On Repentance
Michel de Montaigne
Image
The study of books is a drowsy and feeble exercise which does not warm you up.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
I love a friendship that flatters itself in the sharpness and vigor of its communications.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
I must accommodate my history to the hour: I may presently change, not only by fortune, but also by intention.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
Thus we should beware of clinging to vulgar opinions, and judge things by reason's way, not by popular say.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
Honesty is a question of right and wrong, not a matter of policy
Michel de Montaigne
Image
There is some shadow of delight and delicacy which smiles upon and flatters us even in the very lap of melancholy.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
If you press me to say why I loved him, I can say no more than it was because he was he, and I was I.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
People of our time are so formed for agitation and ostentation that goodness, moderation, equability, constancy, and such quiet and obscure qualities are no longer felt.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
Love to his soul gave eyes he knew things are not as they seem. The dream is his real life the world around him is the dream.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
I consider myself an average man, except in the fact that I consider myself an average man.
Michel de Montaigne