Quote

To speak less of oneself than what one really is, is folly, not modesty and to take that for current pay which is under a man's value, is pusillanimity and cowardice.

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
Men
Oneself
Value
Pay
Values
Cowardice
Less
Modesty
Speak
Folly
Take
Current
Really
Currents

More quotes by Michel de Montaigne

Image
Intoxication is calculated to put heart into the elderly and give them delight in dancing.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
We seek and offer ourselves to be gulled.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
There are truths on this side of the Pyrenees which are falsehoods on the other
Michel de Montaigne
Image
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
Michel de Montaigne
Image
The thing I fear most is fear.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
The only thing certain is nothing is certain.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
It is easier to write an indifferent poem than to understand a good one.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
It is not my deeds that I write down, it is myself, my essence.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
The only good histories are those written by those who had command in the events they describe.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
In true friendship, in which I am expert, I give myself to my friend more than I draw him to me. I not only like doing him good better than having him do me good, but also would rather have him do good to himself than to me he does me most good when he does himself good.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
The same reason that makes us chide and brawl and fall out with any of our neighbors, causeth a war to follow between Princes.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
Is it not enough to make me come back to life out of spite, to have someone who spat in my face while I existed come and rub my feet when I am beginning to exist no longer?
Michel de Montaigne
Image
Obstinacy and heat in argument are surest proofs of folly. Is there anything so stubborn, obstinate, disdainful, contemplative, grave, or serious, as an ass?
Michel de Montaigne
Image
To how many blockheads of my time has a cold and taciturn demeanor procured the credit of prudence and capacity!
Michel de Montaigne
Image
The most fruitful and natural exercise for our minds is, in my opinion, conversation.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
I am disgusted with innovation, in whatever guise, and with reason, for I have seen very harmful effects of it.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
Who feareth to suffer suffereth already, because he feareth.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
Obsession is the wellspring of genius and madness.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
When I am attached by gloomy thoughts, nothing helps me so much as running to my books. They quickly absorb me and banish the clouds from my mind.
Michel de Montaigne
Image
Is there a polity better ordered, the offices better distributed, and more inviolably observed and maintained, than that of bees?
Michel de Montaigne