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Presumption is our natural and original malady. The most vulnerable and frail of all creatures is man, and at the same time the most arrogant.

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
Self
Frail
Men
Arrogant
Time
Arrogance
Originals
Vulnerable
Original
Creatures
Malady
Natural
Presumption

More quotes by Michel de Montaigne

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The receipts of cookery are swelled to a volume, but a good stomach excels them all to which nothing contributes more than industry and temperance.
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The great and glorious masterpiece of humanity is to know how to live with a purpose.
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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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We are all of us richer than we think we are.
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He who lives not to others, lives little to himself.
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I had rather complain of ill-fortune than be ashamed of victory.
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The plague of man is boasting of his knowledge.
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Is there anything so grave and serious as an ass?
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Nothing else but an insatiate thirst of enjoying a greedily desired object.
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It needs courage to be afraid.
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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.
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Tortures are a dangerous invention, and seem to be a test of endurance rather than of truth.
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Physicians have this advantage: the sun lights their success and the earth covers their failures.
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We owe subjection and obedience to all our kings, whether good or bad, alike, for that has respect unto their office but as to esteem and affection, these are only due to their virtue.
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It takes so much to be a king that he exists only as such. That extraneous glare that surrounds him hides him and conceals him from us our sight breaks and is dissipated by it being filled and arrested by this strong light.
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It should be noted that children at play are not playing about their games should be seen as their most serious-minded activity.
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If I were a maker of books I should compile a register, with comments, of different deaths. He who should teach people to die, would teach them to live.
Michel de Montaigne
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Have you known how to take rest? You have done more than he who hath taken empires and cities.
Michel de Montaigne
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If I am to serve as an instrument of deceit, at least let it be with a clear conscience. I do not want to be considered either so affectionate or so loyal a servant as to be found fit to betray anyone.
Michel de Montaigne
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One should always have one's boots on and be ready to leave.
Michel de Montaigne