“The other two are rich and noble; examples of virtue rarely make their home among people like that.” — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
I find that the best virtue I have has in it some tincture of vice. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
Of all the benefits which virtue confers on us, the contempt of death is one of the greatest. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
Disappointment and feebleness imprint upon us a cowardly and valetudinarian virtue. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
There is no course of life so weak and sottish as that which is managed by order, method, and discipline. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
Now, of all the benefits that virtue confers upon us, the contempt of death is one of the greatest. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
We may so seize on virtue, that if we embrace it with an overgreedy and violent desire, it may become vicious. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
The virtue of the soul does not consist in flying high, but in walking orderly. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
In truth, the care and expense of our fathers aims only at furnishing our heads with knowledge; of judgement and virtue, little… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
It is the part of cowardliness, and not of virtue, to seek to squat itself in some hollow lurking hole, or to… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
We owe subjection and obedience to all our kings, whether good or bad, alike, for that has respect unto their office; but… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
Knowledge is an excellent drug; but no drug has virtue enough to preserve itself from corruption and decay, if the vessel be… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
There is no man so good, who, were he to submit all his thoughts and actions to the laws, would not deserve… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
Who is only good that others may know it, and that he may be the better esteemed when 'tis known, who will… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
Seneca's virtue shows forth so live and vigorous in his writings, and the defense is so clear there against some of these… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
There is no virtue which does not rejoice a well-descended nature; there is a kind of I know not what congratulation in… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
“when Dandamys the Wise heard accounts of the lives of Socrates, Pythagoras and Diogenes, he said that they were in every way… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
The height and value of true virtue consists in the facility, utility, and pleasure of its exercise; so far from difficulty, that… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
The first law that ever God gave to man was a law of pure obedience; it was a commandment naked and simple,… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
The shortest way to arrive at glory should be to do that for conscience which we do for glory. And the virtue… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
No profession or occupation is more pleasing than the military; a profession or exercise both noble in execution (for the strongest, most… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
As for our pupils talk, let his virtue and his sense of right and wrong shine through it and have no guide… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
Virtue shuns ease as a companion. It demands a rough and thorny path. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
Virtue can have naught to do with ease. . . . It craves a steep and thorny path. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
The confidence in another man's virtue is no light evidence of a man's own, and God willingly favors such a confidence. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
From Obedience and submission comes all our virtues, and all sin is comes from self-opinion. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
I must use these great men's virtues as a cloak for my weakness. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
The easy, gentle, and sloping path . . . is not the path of true virtue. It demands a rough and thorny road. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
Virtue rejects facility to be her companion. She requires a craggy, rough and thorny way. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
Virtue cannot be followed but for herself, and if one sometimes borrows her mask to some other purpose, she presently pulls it… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
The recognition of virtue is not less valuable from the lips of the man who hates it, since truth forces him to… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
If virtue cannot shine bright, but by the conflict of contrary appetites, shall we then say that she cannot subsist without the… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share Image
No man is exempt from saying silly things; the mischief is to say them deliberately. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share
The laws keep up their credit, not by being just, but because they are laws; 'tis the mystic foundation of their authority; they have… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share
Every one rushes elsewhere and into the future, because no one wants to face one's own inner self. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share
Beauty is the true prerogative of women, and so peculiarly their own, that our sex, though naturally requiring another sort of feature, is never… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share
The height and value of true virtue consists in the facility, utility, and pleasure of its exercise; so far from difficulty, that boys, as… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share
The plainest sign of wisdom is a continual cheerfulness: her state is like that of things in the regions above the moon, always clear… — Michel De Montaigne Copy Share
The corruption of the age is made up by the particular contribution of every individual man; some contribute treachery, others injustice, atheism, tyranny, avarice,… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share
If people must be talking about me, I would have it to be truthfully and justly. I would willingly return from the next world… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share
In true friendship, in which I am expert, I give myself to my friend more than I draw him to me. I not only… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share
There are as many and innumerable degrees of wit, as there are cubits between this and heaven. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share
Lucius Arruntius killed himself, he said, to escape both the future and the past. — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share
I have a vocabulary all my own. I pass the time when itis wet and disagreeable. Whenit is fine I do not wish to… — Michel de Montaigne Copy Share
