Michel de Montaigne
Michel de Montaigne
Michel Eyquem de Montaignewas one of the most significant philosophers of the French Renaissance, known for popularizing the essay as a literary genre. His work is noted for its merging of casual anecdotes and autobiography with serious intellectual insight; his massive volume Essaiscontains some of the most influential essays ever written. Montaigne had a direct influence on writers all over the world, including Francis Bacon, René Descartes, Blaise Pascal, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Albert Hirschman, William Hazlitt, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Friedrich Nietzsche,...
NationalityFrench
ProfessionPhilosopher
Date of Birth28 February 1533
CountryFrance
Fie on the eloquence that leaves us craving itself, not things!
Our thoughts are always elsewhere; we are stayed and supported by the hope for a better life, or by the hope that our children will turn out well, or that our name will be famous in the future, or that we shall escape the evils of this life, or that vengeance threatens those who are the cause of our death.
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.
Wonder is the foundation of all philosophy, inquiry the progress, ignorance the end.
Every man may speak truly, but to speak methodically, prudently, and fully is a talent that few men have.
One open way of speaking introduces another open way of speaking, and draws out discoveries, like wine and love.
Obstinacy and dogmatism are the surest signs of stupidity. Is there anything more confident, resolute, disdainful, grave and serious than an ass?
I am one of those who hold that poetry is never so blithe as in a wanton and irregular subject.
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.
And truly Philosophy is but sophisticated poetry. Whence do those ancient writers derive all their authority but from the poets?
The beginnings of all things are weak and tender. We must therefore be clear-sighted in the beginnings, for, as in their budding we discern not the danger, so in their full growth we perceive not the remedy.
Only the fools are certain and assured.
We should spread joy, but, as far as we can, repress sorrow.
I love a gay and sociable wisdom, and shun harshness and austerity in behaviour, holding every surly countenance suspect.