Quote

The first distinction among men, and the first consideration that gave one precedence over another, was doubtless the advantage of beauty.

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
Advantage
Gave
Among
Beauty
Another
Doubtless
Firsts
Precedence
First
Consideration
Men
Distinction

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Every man may speak truly, but to speak methodically, prudently, and fully is a talent that few men have.
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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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The most certain sign of wisdom is a continual cheerfulness her state is like that of things in the regions above the moon, always clear and serene.
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God defend me from being an honest man according to the description which every day I see made by each man to his own glorification
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Silence and modesty are very valuable qualities in conversation.
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We need to interpret interpretations more than to interpret things.
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We only labor to stuff the memory, and leave the conscience and the understanding unfurnished and void.
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In order always to learn something from others (which is the finest school there can be), I observe in my travels this practice: I always steer those with whom I talk back to the things they know best.
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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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Greatness of soul consists not so much in soaring high and in pressing forward, as in knowing how to adapt and limit oneself.
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The religion of my doctor or my lawyer cannot matter. That consideration has nothing in common with the functions of the friendship they owe me.
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In his commerce with men I mean him to include- and that principally- those who live only in the memory of books. By means of history he will frequent those great souls of former years. If you want it to be so, history can be a waste of time it can also be, if you want it to be so, a study bearing fruit beyond price.
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There is no greater enemy to those who would please than expectation.
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There is no wish more natural than the wish to know.
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It is a human tendency to measure truth and error by our capacity.
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A learned man is not learned in all things but a sufficient man is sufficient throughout, even to ignorance itself.
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Rejoice in the things that are present all else is beyond thee.
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Authors communicate with the people by some special extrinsic mark I am the first to do so by my entire being, as Michel de Montaigne.
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The same reason that makes us chide and brawl and fall out with any of our neighbors, causeth a war to follow between Princes.
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Poetry reproduces an indefinable mood that is more amorous than love itself. Venus is not so beautiful all naked, alive, and panting, as she is here in Virgil.
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