May Quotes by Michel de Montaigne

A man may be humble through vainglory.

— Michel de Montaigne

God defend me from myself.

— Michel de Montaigne

One may be humble out of pride.

— Michel de Montaigne

May God defend me from myself.

— Michel de Montaigne

Vexations may be petty, but they are vexations still.

— Michel de Montaigne

Though we may be learned by another's knowledge, we can never be wise but by our own experience.

— Michel de Montaigne

I may indeed very well happen to contradict myself; but truth, as Demades said, I do not contradict.

— Michel de Montaigne

Learned we may be with another man's learning: we can only be wise with wisdom of our own.

— Michel de Montaigne

A volunteer, you assign yourself specific roles and risks according to your judgement of their brilliance and importance, and you see when…

— Michel de Montaigne

The utility of living consists not in the length of days, but in the use of time; a man may have lived…

— Michel de Montaigne

I see several animals that live so entire and perfect a life, some without sight, others without hearing: who knows whether to…

— Michel de Montaigne

We may so seize on virtue, that if we embrace it with an overgreedy and violent desire, it may become vicious.

— Michel de Montaigne

Every man may speak truly, but to speak methodically, prudently, and fully is a talent that few men have.

— Michel de Montaigne

A man may by custom fortify himself against pain, shame, and suchlike accidents; but as to death, we can experience it but…

— Michel de Montaigne

Most men are rich in borrowed sufficiency: a man may very well say a good thing, give a good answer, cite a…

— Michel de Montaigne

We cannot do without it, and yet we disgrace and vilify the same. It may be compared to a cage, the birds…

— Michel de Montaigne

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

We cannot be held to what is beyond our strength and means; for at times the accomplishment and execution may not be…

— Michel de Montaigne

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

Each person calls barbarism whatever is not his or her own practice… We may call Cannibals barbarians, in respect to the rulesof…

— Michel de Montaigne

There is a certain consideration, and a general duty of humanity, that binds us not only to the animals, which have life…

— Michel de Montaigne

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

Old age is a lease nature only signs as a particular favor, and it may be, to one, only in the space…

— Michel de Montaigne

I have seen books made of things neither studied nor ever understood ... the author contenting himself for his own part, to…

— Michel de Montaigne

We have more poets than judges and interpreters of poetry. It is easier to write an indifferent poem than to understand a…

— Michel de Montaigne

Business in a certain sort of men is a mark of understanding, and they are honored for it. Their souls seek repose…

— Michel de Montaigne

I would like to suggest that our minds are swamped by too much study and by too much matter just as plants…

— Michel de Montaigne

..a man may live long, yet live very little. Satisfaction in life depends not on the number of your years, but on…

— Michel de Montaigne

Aesop, that great man, saw his master making water as he walked. "What!" he said, "Must we void ourselves as we run?"…

— Michel de Montaigne

I must accommodate my history to the hour: I may presently change, not only by fortune, but also by intention.

— Michel de Montaigne

I agree that we should work and prolong the functions of life as far as we can, and hope that Death may…

— Michel de Montaigne

Their [the Skeptics'] way of speaking is: "I settle nothing. . . . I do not understand it. . . . Nothing…

— Michel de Montaigne

Whatever I may be, I want to be elsewhere than on paper. My art and my industry have been employed in making…

— Michel de Montaigne

Petty vexations may at times be petty, but still they are vexations. The smallest and most inconsiderable annoyances are the most piercing.…

— Michel de Montaigne

One may disavow and disclaim vices that surprise us, and whereto our passions transport us; but those which by long habits are…

— Michel de Montaigne

One may disavow and disclaim vices that surprise us and whereto our passions transport us. But those which by long habit are…

— Michel de Montaigne

Whenever a new discovery is reported to the world, they say first, It is probably not true, Then after, when the truth…

— Michel de Montaigne

One man may have some special knowledge at first-hand about the character of a river or a spring, who otherwise knows only…

— Michel de Montaigne

Courtesy is a science of the highest importance. It is... opening a door that we may derive instruction from the example of…

— Michel de Montaigne

Whenever a new finding is reported to the world people say - It is probably not true. Later on, when the reliability…

— Michel de Montaigne