--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If faces were not alike, we could not…" description: "\"If faces were not alike, we could not distinguish men from beasts; if they were not different, we could not tell one man from another.\" — Michel de Mon..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cc/michel-de-montaigne-142_beast_if-faces-were-not-alike-we-could-not-dis_2635079.jpg" --- # If faces were not alike, we could not distinguish men from… ![“If faces were not alike, we could not distinguish men from beasts; if they were not different, we could not tell one man from another.” quote by Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cc/michel-de-montaigne-142_beast_if-faces-were-not-alike-we-could-not-dis_2635079.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cc/michel-de-montaigne-142_beast_if-faces-were-not-alike-we-could-not-dis_2635079.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cc/michel-de-montaigne-142_beast_if-faces-were-not-alike-we-could-not-dis_2635079.jpg) > “If faces were not alike, we could not distinguish men from beasts; if they were not different, we could not tell one man from another.” [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Distinguishing humans from beasts requires recognizing both sameness and difference. **In simple terms:** Similarity and difference define humanity. Key Takeaway Appreciate both commonality and uniqueness. Themes identity humanity diversity Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - cultural exchange - education - conflict resolution Key Concepts philosophy anthropology Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance similarity and difference? - What benefits arise from recognizing shared humanity? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on difference can breed division. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alike Distinguish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alike-distinguish-2221100/) [Beast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beast/) [Beasts Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beasts-different-2221097/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Distinguish Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinguish-men-2221096/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Faces Alike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces-alike-860255/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Beasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-beasts-509715/) [One man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/one-man/) [Portraiture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/portraiture/) ## Related quotes > [Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/without-feelings-of-respect-what-is-there-to-distinguish-men-from/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Every one of them is different. In fact, brains are like faces in that no two are ever alike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-mckee/every-one-of-them-is-different-in-fact-brains-are-like-faces-in-that/) [Ann McKee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-mckee/) > [“Stories have changed, my dear boy,”the man in the grey suit says, his voice almost imperceptibly sad. “There are no more battles between good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/stories-have-changed-my-dear-boy-the-man-in-the-grey-suit-says-his-2/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [“Stories have changed, my dear boy,” the man in the grey suit says, his voice almost imperceptibly sad. “There are no more battles between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/stories-have-changed-my-dear-boy-the-man-in-the-grey-suit-says-his/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [It is the common wonder of all men, how among so many million faces, there should be none alike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-browne/it-is-the-common-wonder-of-all-men-how-among-so-many-million-faces/) [Thomas Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-browne/) > [If a man is not rising upwards to be an angel, depend upon it, he is sinking downwards to be a devil . He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/if-a-man-is-not-rising-upwards-to-be-an-angel-depend-upon-it-he-is/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [When we exist without thought or thanksgiving we are not men, but beasts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-k-fisher/when-we-exist-without-thought-or-thanksgiving-we-are-not-men-but/) [M. F. K. Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-k-fisher/) > [“Are men and beasts of the same category? Is there no essential difference between them in respect to the quality of their value?…It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lloyd-c-douglas/are-men-and-beasts-of-the-same-category-is-there-no-essential/) [Lloyd C. Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lloyd-c-douglas/) > [“There are no monsters in the world, only men and other beasts...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-monk/there-are-no-monsters-in-the-world-only-men-and-other-beasts/) [Andy Monk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-monk/) > [Men do not have to cook their food; they do so for symbolic reasons to show they are men and not beasts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-leach/men-do-not-have-to-cook-their-food-they-do-so-for-symbolic-reasons-to/) [Edmund Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-leach/) > [“The stars never lie, but Men and Beasts do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cs-lewis/the-stars-never-lie-but-men-and-beasts-do/) [CS Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cs-lewis/) > [If it's true that men are such beasts, this must account for the fact that most women are animal lovers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-day/if-it-s-true-that-men-are-such-beasts-this-must-account-for-the-fact/) [Doris Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-day/) > [I have spent 20 years writing these books. Had I wanted to say men are beasts and scream, that takes 30 seconds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-dworkin/i-have-spent-20-years-writing-these-books-had-i-wanted-to-say-men-are/) [Andrea Dworkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-dworkin/) > [“Men were beasts. Everyone knew that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/men-were-beasts-everyone-knew-that/) [Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/) > [“Men are beasts, selfish and brutal. However gentle the words, there are always darker motives underneath.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/men-are-beasts-selfish-and-brutal-however-gentle-the-words-there-are/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) ## More by Michel de Montaigne > [No man is exempt from saying silly things; the mischief is to say them deliberately.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/no-man-is-exempt-from-saying-silly-things-the-mischief-is-to-say-them/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [The laws keep up their credit, not by being just, but because they are laws; 'tis the mystic foundation of their authority; they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-laws-keep-up-their-credit-not-by-being-just-but-because-they-are/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Every one rushes elsewhere and into the future, because no one wants to face one's own inner self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/every-one-rushes-elsewhere-and-into-the-future-because-no-one-wants/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Beauty is the true prerogative of women, and so peculiarly their own, that our sex, though naturally requiring another sort of feature, is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/beauty-is-the-true-prerogative-of-women-and-so-peculiarly-their-own/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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 boys, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-height-and-value-of-true-virtue-consists-in-the-facility-utility/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Fie on the eloquence that leaves us craving itself, not things!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/fie-on-the-eloquence-that-leaves-us-craving-itself-not-things/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [The plainest sign of wisdom is a continual cheerfulness: her state is like that of things in the regions above the moon, always clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-plainest-sign-of-wisdom-is-a-continual-cheerfulness-her-state-is/) [Michel De Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [The corruption of the age is made up by the particular contribution of every individual man; some contribute treachery, others injustice, atheism, tyranny, avarice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-corruption-of-the-age-is-made-up-by-the-particular-contribution/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [If people must be talking about me, I would have it to be truthfully and justly. I would willingly return from the next world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/if-people-must-be-talking-about-me-i-would-have-it-to-be-truthfully/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Most pleasures embrace us but to strangle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/most-pleasures-embrace-us-but-to-strangle/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [In true friendship, in which I am expert, I give myself to my friend more than I draw him to me. I not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/in-true-friendship-in-which-i-am-expert-i-give-myself-to-my-friend/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [There are as many and innumerable degrees of wit, as there are cubits between this and heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/there-are-as-many-and-innumerable-degrees-of-wit-as-there-are-cubits/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [A man has need of tough ears to hear himself fairly judged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/a-man-has-need-of-tough-ears-to-hear-himself-fairly-judged/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Lucius Arruntius killed himself, he said, to escape both the future and the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/lucius-arruntius-killed-himself-he-said-to-escape-both-the-future-and/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [I have a vocabulary all my own. I pass the time when itis wet and disagreeable. Whenit is fine I do not wish to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/i-have-a-vocabulary-all-my-own-i-pass-the-time-when-itis-wet-and/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) [Explore all 1,131 Michel de Montaigne quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) ## More Beast quotes > [We became Homo sapiens not that long ago, from the scientific perspective, and we've retained a lot of our beast nature. We've done all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/we-became-homo-sapiens-not-that-long-ago-from-the-scientific/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [“Once upon a time, there was a naïve and innocent girl who thought she could tame the beast and live happily ever after. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nenia-campbell/once-upon-a-time-there-was-a-na-ve-and-innocent-girl-who-thought-she/) [Nenia Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nenia-campbell/) > [Is man no more than this? Consider him well. Thou ow'st the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep no wool, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/is-man-no-more-than-this-consider-him-well-thou-ow-st-the-worm-no/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [In giving us dominion over the animal kingdom God has signified His will that we subdue the beast within ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lancaster-spalding/in-giving-us-dominion-over-the-animal-kingdom-god-has-signified-his/) [John Lancaster Spalding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lancaster-spalding/) > [ No visiting angel, or explorer from another planet, could have guessed that this bland orb \[Earth\] teemed with vermin, with world-mastering, self-torturing, incipiently angelic… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/no-visiting-angel-or-explorer-from-another-planet-could-have-guessed/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [As a beast of toil an ox is fixed capital. If he is eaten, he no longer functions as an instrument of labour, nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/as-a-beast-of-toil-an-ox-is-fixed-capital-if-he-is-eaten-he-no-longer/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [« He squeezed his hands into fists. I picked up a grapefruit-sized rock and handed it to him. It went flying. Home run, Beast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/he-squeezed-his-hands-into-fists-i-picked-up-a-grapefruit-sized-rock/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [Was man made stupid to see his own stupidity? Is God by definition indifferent, beyond us all? Is the eternal truth man's fighting soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-eberhart/was-man-made-stupid-to-see-his-own-stupidity-is-god-by-definition/) [Richard Eberhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-eberhart/) > [When a man is treated like a beast, he says, 'After all, I'm human.' 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How a fair maid falls in love with a monster and sees the beauty of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-maitland/you-ve-heard-tales-of-beauty-and-the-beast-how-a-fair-maid-falls-in/) [Karen Maitland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-maitland/) [Browse all 1,640 Beast quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beast/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If faces were not alike, we could not distinguish men from beasts; if they were not different, we could not tell one man from another.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michel de Montaigne" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/if-faces-were-not-alike-we-could-not-distinguish-men-from-beasts-if/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Beast" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/if-faces-were-not-alike-we-could-not-distinguish-men-from-beasts-if/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cc/michel-de-montaigne-142_beast_if-faces-were-not-alike-we-could-not-dis_2635079.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cc/michel-de-montaigne-142_beast_if-faces-were-not-alike-we-could-not-dis_2635079.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cc/michel-de-montaigne-142_beast_if-faces-were-not-alike-we-could-not-dis_2635079.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If faces were not alike, we could not distinguish men from beasts; if they were not different, we could not…” — Michel de Montaigne", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Michel de Montaigne", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If faces were not alike, we...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/if-faces-were-not-alike-we-could-not-distinguish-men-from-beasts-if/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/if-faces-were-not-alike-we-could-not-distinguish-men-from-beasts-if/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```