Quote

Those who give the first shock to a state are the first overwhelmed in its ruin the fruits of public commotion are seldom enjoyed by him who was the first mover he only beats the water for another's net.

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
States
Beats
Fruits
Firsts
Fruit
Overwhelmed
First
Revolution
Ruin
Giving
Public
Rebellion
State
Seldom
Water
Ruins
Another
Shock
Commotion
Give
Enjoyed
Mover

More quotes by Michel de Montaigne

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And not to serve for a table-talk.
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Vexations may be petty, but they are vexations still.
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And if nobody reads me, shall I have wasted my time, when I have beguiled so many idle hours with such pleasant and profitable reflections?
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We do not correct the man we hang we correct others by him.
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It is fear that I stand most in fear of, in sharpness it exceeds every other feeling.
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Courtesy is a science of the highest importance. It is...opening a door that we may derive instruction from the example of others, and at the same time enabling us to benefit them by our example, if there be anything in our character worthy of imitation.
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If a man should importune me to give a reason why I loved him, I find it could no otherwise be expressed, than by making answer: because it was he, because it was I.
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Is it reasonable that even the arts should take advantage of and profit by our natural stupidity and feebleness of mind?
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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
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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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Judgement holds in me a magisterial seat, at least it carefully tries to. It lets my feelings go their way, both hatred and friendship, even the friendship I bear myself, without being changed and corrupted by them.
Michel de Montaigne
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Oh senseless man, who cannot possibly make a worm or a flea and yet will create Gods by the dozen!
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I am further of opinion that it would be better for us to have [no laws] at all than to have them in so prodigious numbers as we have.
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Every one rushes elsewhere and into the future, because no one wants to face one's own inner self.
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For me, who only desire to become wise, not more learned or eloquent, these logical or Aristotelian dispositions of parts are of no use.
Michel de Montaigne
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If faces were not alike, we could not distinguish men from beasts if they were not different, we could not tell one man from another.
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Every one is well or ill at ease, according as he finds himself! not he whom the world believes, but he who believes himself to be so, is content and in him alone belief gives itself being and reality
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Any time and any place can be used to study: his room, a garden, is table, his bed when alone or in company morning and evening. His chief study will be Philosophy, that Former of good judgement and character who is privileged to be concerned with everything.
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Not being able to govern events, I govern myself, and apply myself to them if they will not apply themselves to me.
Michel de Montaigne
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Lend yourself to others, but give yourself to yourself.
Michel de Montaigne