Quote

In my youth I studied for ostentation later, a little to gain wisdom now, for recreation never for gain.

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
Never
Gains
Later
Youth
Education
Wisdom
Ostentation
Littles
Recreation
Little
Studied
Self
Gain

More quotes by Michel de Montaigne

Image
Necessity is a violent school-mistress.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
For there is no air that men so greedily draw in, that diffuses itself so soon, and that penetrates so deep as that of license.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
Those that will combat use and custom by the strict rules of grammar do but jest
Michel de Montaigne
Image
A straight oar looks bent in the water. It matters not merely that we see a thing, but how we see it.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
Saying is one thing and doing is another
Michel de Montaigne
Image
There is no desire more natural than the desire of knowledge. (Il n'est desir plus naturel que le desir de connaissance)
Michel de Montaigne
Image
Let us not be ashamed to speak what we shame not to think.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
Lay a beam between these two towers of such width as we need to walk on: there is no philosophical wisdom of such great firmness that it can give us courage to walk on it as we should if it were on the ground.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
Friendship is the highest degree of perfection in society.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
If health and a fair day smile upon me, I am a very good fellow if a corn trouble my toe, I am sullen, out of humor, and inaccessible.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
Such as are in immediate fear of a losing their estates, of banishment, or of slavery, live in perpetual anguish, and lose all appetite and repose whereas such as are actually poor, slaves, or exiles, ofttimes live as merrily as other folk.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
The oldest and best known evil was ever more supportable than one that was new and untried.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
How often our involuntary facial motions testify to the thoughts we were keeping secret, and betray us to those around!
Michel de Montaigne
Image
He who fears he will suffer, already suffers from his fear.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
Virtue cannot be followed but for herself, and if one sometimes borrows her mask to some other purpose, she presently pulls it away again.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
We may so seize on virtue, that if we embrace it with an overgreedy and violent desire, it may become vicious.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
To distract myself from tiresome thoughts, I have only to resort to books they easily draw my mind to themselves and away from other things.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
I see several animals that live so entire and perfect a life, some without sight, others without hearing: who knows whether to us also one, two, or three, or many other senses, may not be wanting?
Michel de Montaigne
Image
We should spread joy, but, as far as we can, repress sorrow.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
I care not so much what I am to others as what I am to myself. I will be rich by myself, and not by borrowing.
Michel de Montaigne