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How often our involuntary facial motions testify to the thoughts we were keeping secret, and betray us to those around!

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
Thoughtful
Keeping
Thoughts
Testify
Secret
Motions
Faces
Involuntary
Often
Facial
Around
Thinking
Betray

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There is a plague on Man, the opinion that he knows something.
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To honor him whom we have made is far from honoring him that hath made us.
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Who is only good that others may know it, and that he may be the better esteemed when 'tis known, who will do well but upon condition that his virtue may be known to men, is one from whom much service is not to be expected.
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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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Is there a polity better ordered, the offices better distributed, and more inviolably observed and maintained, than that of bees?
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Persons of mean understandings, not so inquisitive, nor so well instructed, are made good Christians, and by reverence and obedience, implicity believe, and abide by their belief.
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'Tis the sharpness of our mind that gives the edge to our pains and pleasures.
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The human face is a weak guarantee yet it deserves some consideration. And if I had to whip the wicked, I would do so more severely to those who belied and betrayed the promises that nature had implanted on their brows I would punish malice more harshly when it was hidden under a kindly appearance.
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Among the liberal arts, let us begin with the art that liberates us.
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One should be ever booted and spurred and ready to depart.
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No wonder, said an Ancient, that chance has so much power over us, since it is by chance that we live.
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The souls of emperors and cobblers are cast in the same mold...The same reason that makes us wrangle with a neighbor creates a war betwixt princes.
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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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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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The beginnings of all things are weak and tender. We must therefore be clear-sighted in the beginnings, for, as in their budding we discern not the danger, so in their full growth we perceive not the remedy.
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The plague of man is boasting of his knowledge.
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We have power over nothing except our will.
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What kind of truth is it which has these mountains as its boundary and is a lie beyond them?
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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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To divert myself from a troublesome fancy, it is but to run to my books they presently fix me to them, and drive the other out of my thoughts, and do not mutiny to see that I have only recourse to them for want of other more, real, natural, and lively conveniences they always receive me with the same kindness.
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