Quote

Petty vexations may at times be petty, but still they are vexations. The smallest and most inconsiderable annoyances are the most piercing. As small letters weary the eye most, so the smallest affairs disturb us most.

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
Letters
Vexation
Trouble
Annoyance
Small
Disturb
Eye
Petty
Times
Weary
Inconsiderable
Stills
Smallest
Annoyances
Still
Affairs
Vexations
May
Affair
Piercing

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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?
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Now, since everything else is furnished with the exact amount of needle and thread required to maintain its being, it is in truth incredible that we alone should be brought into the world in a defective and indigent state, in a state such that we cannot maintain ourselves without external aid.
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The thing in the world I am most afraid of is fear.
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I am afraid that our eyes are bigger than our stomachs, and that we have more curiosity than understanding. We grasp at everything, but catch nothing except wind.
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It is very easy to accuse a government of imperfection, for all mortal things are full of it.
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It costs an unreasonable woman no more to pass over one reason than another they cherish themselves most where they are most wrong.
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The curiosity of knowing things has been given to man for a scourge.
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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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Those that will combat use and custom by the strict rules of grammar do but jest
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It is the mind that maketh good or ill, That maketh wretch or happy, rich or poor.
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If I were of the trade, I should naturalize art as much as they artialize nature.
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A lady could not boast of her chastity who was never tempted.
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An orator of past times declared that his calling was to make small things appear to be grand.
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Glory consists of two parts: the one in setting too great a value upon ourselves, and the other in setting too little a value upon others.
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It is in the enjoyment and not in mere possession that makes for happiness.
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To compose our character is our duty, not to compose books, and to win, not battles and provinces, but order and tranquillity in our conduct.
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Almost all the opinions we have are taken on authority and on credit.
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Vexations may be petty, but they are vexations still.
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Excellent memories are often coupled with feeble judgments.
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In the education of children there is nothing like alluring the interest and affection otherwise you only make so many asses laden with books.
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