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
Courtesy, like grace and beauty, that which begets liking and inclination to love one another at the first sight, and in the very beginning of our acquaintance and familiarity; and, consequently, that which first opens the door for us to better ourselves by the example of others, if there be anything in the society worth notice
Every one's true worship was that which he found in use in the place where he chanced to be.
To make judgements about great and lofty things, a soul of the same stature is needed; otherwise we ascribe to them that vice which is our own.
Even opinion is of force enough to make itself to be espoused at the expense of life.
Oh, what a valiant faculty is hope, that in a mortal subject, and in a moment, makes nothing of usurping infinity, immensity, eternity, and of supplying its masters indigence, at its pleasure, with all things he can imagine or desire!
Obstinacy and heat in argument are surest proofs of folly. Is there anything so stubborn, obstinate, disdainful, contemplative, grave, or serious, as an ass?
Obstinacy and contention are common qualities, most appearing in, and best becoming, a mean and illiterate soul.
Necessity is a violent school-mistress.
I give my opinion not as being good, but as being my own.
Experience teaches that a strong memory is generally joined to a weak judgment.
Adrian, the Emperor, exclaimed incessantly, when dying, "That the crowd of physicians had killed him.
Women when they marry buy a cat in the bag.
You have your face bare; I am all face.
Disappointment and feebleness imprint upon us a cowardly and valetudinarian virtue.