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We have so much ill fortune as inconstancy, or so much bad purpose as folly, we are not so full of evil as we are of inanity we are not so wretched as we are base

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
Base
Folly
Ill
Fortune
Full
Purpose
Inanity
Evil
Inconstancy
Much
Wretched

More quotes by Michel de Montaigne

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Nothing fixes a thing so intensely in the memory as the wish to forget it.
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Meditation is a powerful and full study as can effectually taste and employ themselves.
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Tis faith alone that vividly and certainly comprehends the deep mysteries of our religion.
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We may so seize on virtue, that if we embrace it with an overgreedy and violent desire, it may become vicious.
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Satiety comes of too frequent repetition and he who will not give himself leisure to be thirsty can never find the true pleasure of drinking
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There is indeed a certain sense of gratification when we do a good deed that gives us inward satisfaction, and a generous pride that accompanies a good conscience…These testimonies of a good conscience are pleasant and such a natural pleasure is very beneficial to us it is the only payment that can never fail. “On Repentance
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Have you known how to take rest? You have done more than he who hath taken empires and cities.
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After they had accustomed themselves at Rome to the spectacles of the slaughter of animals, they proceeded to those of the slaughter of men, to the gladiators.
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I do not teach. I relate.
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The study of books is a drowsy and feeble exercise which does not warm you up.
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The share we have in the knowledge of truth, such as it is, has not been acquired by our own powers. God has taught ushis wonderful secrets our faith is not of our acquiring, it is purely the gift of another's bounty.
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A strong imagination begetteth opportunity.
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Man is quite insane. He wouldn?t know how to create a maggot, and he creates Gods by the dozen.
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It is not necessity but abundance which produces greed.
Michel de Montaigne
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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.
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Have you been able to think out and manage your own life? You have done the greatest task of all.... All other things, ruling, hoarding, building, are only little appendages and props, at most.
Michel de Montaigne
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I do not believe, from what I have been told about this people, that there is anything barbarous or savage about them, except that we all call barbarous anything that is contrary to our own habits.
Michel de Montaigne
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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.
Michel de Montaigne
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The only thing certain is nothing is certain.
Michel de Montaigne
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Those that will combat use and custom by the strict rules of grammar do but jest
Michel de Montaigne