Beginning middle and end Quote by Michel de Montaigne
“Now there cannot be first principles for men, unless the Divinity has revealed them; all the rest--beginning, middle, and end--isnothing but dreams and smoke.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Essays, Book I, 1580
Human knowledge lacks innate foundations unless divinely revealed; otherwise it is fleeting and illusory.
In simple terms: Without divine insight, human ideas are fleeting.
Key Takeaway
Seek deeper truths beyond surface knowledge.
Themes
philosophy
epistemology
divinity
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
thought‑provoking
When to use this quote
- academic study
- spiritual contemplation
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
metaphysics
skepticism
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What foundations guide your understanding?
- How do you differentiate revelation from imagination?
A Different Perspective
Divine revelation is not universally accepted as a basis for knowledge.
