Virtue Quotes by Michel de Montaigne

There is no course of life so weak and sottish as that which is managed by order, method, and discipline.

— Michel de Montaigne

Disappointment and feebleness imprint upon us a cowardly and valetudinarian virtue.

— Michel de Montaigne

Now, of all the benefits that virtue confers upon us, the contempt of death is one of the greatest.

— Michel de Montaigne

Of all the benefits which virtue confers on us, the contempt of death is one of the greatest.

— Michel de Montaigne

I find that the best virtue I have has in it some tincture of vice.

— Michel de Montaigne

“The other two are rich and noble; examples of virtue rarely make their home among people like that.”

— Michel de Montaigne

Virtue rejects facility to be her companion. She requires a craggy, rough and thorny way.

— Michel de Montaigne

The easy, gentle, and sloping path . . . is not the path of true virtue. It demands a rough and thorny road.

— Michel de Montaigne

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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

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

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

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

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

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

Virtue can have naught to do with ease. . . . It craves a steep and thorny path.

— Michel de Montaigne

Virtue shuns ease as a companion. It demands a rough and thorny path.

— Michel de Montaigne

The virtue of the soul does not consist in flying high, but in walking orderly.

— Michel de Montaigne

I must use these great men's virtues as a cloak for my weakness.

— Michel de Montaigne

From Obedience and submission comes all our virtues, and all sin is comes from self-opinion.

— Michel de Montaigne

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

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

— 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

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

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