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Quote by Michel de Montaigne

“I, who am king of the matter I treat, and who owe an accounting for it to no one, do not for all that believe myself in all I write. I often hazard sallies of my mind which I mistrust.”

Quote by Michel de Montaigne

Book:Complete Essays

Work

Complete Essays

This book is a compilation of essays that delve into a wide range of subjects, offering insights and perspectives on diverse topics. more

Author

Michel de Montaigne

Michel de Montaigne was a French Renaissance philosopher, essayist, and writer. He is considered one of the most significant figures in the history of the essay. Montaigne's work, particularly his book 'Essays', has been influential in the development of modern prose. more

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“I do not correct my first imaginings by my second--well, yes, perhaps a word or so, but only to vary, not to delete. I want to represent the course of my humors and I want people to see each part at its birth.”

People Want Firsts Wells Courses Birth Authenticity Sincerity Vary

Book:Essays

Source: Essays

“The share we have in the knowledge of truth, such as it is, has not been acquired by our own powers. God has taught ushis wonderful secrets; our faith is not of our acquiring, it is purely the gift of another's bounty.”

God Secret Knowledge Wonderful Share Taught Bounty

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“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.”

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Author:Michel de Montaigne

“This idea is more surely understood by interrogation; WHAT DO I KNOW? which I bear as my motto with the emblem of a pair of scales.”

Knows Ideas Knowledge Bears Understood Scales Pairs Motto My Motto Emblems Interrogation

Book:The Essays

Source: The Essays

“The worst condition of humans is when they lose knowledge and control of themselves.”

Humans Self Loses Knowledge Worst Conditions Behavior Self Knowledge

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“In the examples that I here bring in of what I have [read], heard, done or said, I have refrained from daring to alter even the smallest and most indifferent circumstances. My conscience falsifies not an iota; for my knowledge I cannot answer.”

Said Done Change Answers Knowledge Heard Example Circumstances Conscience Daring Smallest Indifferent

Book:The Essays

Source: The Essays

“Is it reasonable that even the arts should take advantage of and profit by our natural stupidity and feebleness of mind?”

Should Mind Art Natural Human Nature Advantage Profit Stupidity Reasonable

Author:Michel de Montaigne

“A wellborn mind that is practiced in dealing with people makes itself thoroughly agreeable by itself. Art is nothing else but thelist and record of the productions of such minds.”

People Mind Art Culture Records Behavior Art Is Productions Dealing With People

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“If I were of the trade, I should naturalize art as much as they "artialize" nature.”

Ifs Should Art Nature Trade Artificiality

Book:The Essays

Source: The Essays

“To compose our character is our duty, not to compose books, and to win, not battles and provinces, but order and tranquillity in our conduct.”

Book Self Character Order Winning Duty Battle Behavior Provinces Tranquillity

Book:Complete Essays

Source: Complete Essays