Home / Quotes / Quote by Michel de Montaigne

Quote by Michel de Montaigne

“When I was young, beautiful ancient statues were castrated, so that the eye might not be corrupted.... Nothing was gained, unless horses and asses had also been castrated.”

Quote by Michel de Montaigne

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

You May Also Like

“I consider it equal injustice to set our heart against natural pleasures and to set our heart too much on them. We should neither pursue them, nor flee them; we should accept them.”

Should Heart Natural Pleasure Accepting Too Much Equal Injustice Pursue

Book:Complete Essays

Source: Complete Essays

“If I am to serve as an instrument of deceit, at least let it be with a clear conscience. I do not want to be considered either so affectionate or so loyal a servant as to be found fit to betray anyone.”

Ifs Want Found Clear Fit Conscience Instruments Servant Deceit Betray Loyal Affectionate Clear Conscience

Book:Complete Essays

Source: Complete Essays

“Who does not see that I have taken a road along which I shall go, without stopping and without effort, as long as there is ink and paper in the world? I cannot keep a record of my life by my actions; fortune places them too low. I keep it by my thoughts.”

World Long Doe Action Effort Taken Records Paper Lows Fortune Stopping My Thoughts Ink Ink And Paper

Book:Complete Essays

Source: Complete Essays

“In truth, knowledge is a great and very useful quality; those who despise it give evidence enough of their stupidity. Yet I do not set its value at that extreme measure that some attribute to it.”

Giving Enough Values Quality Evidence Extremes Stupidity Attributes Despise

Book:Complete Essays

Source: Complete Essays

“It makes me hate accepting things that are probable when they are held up before me as infallibly true. I prefer these words which tone down and modify the hastiness of our propositions: "Perhaps, In some sort, Some, They say, I think," and the like.”

Thinking Hate Accepting Down And Tone Propositions Accepting Things

Book:The Essays

Source: The Essays

“To die is not to play a part in society; it is the act of a single person. Let us live and laugh among our friends; let us die and sulk among strangers.”

Persons Play Dies Laughing Stranger Single Person

Author:Michel de Montaigne

“I do not know whether I would not like much better to have produced one perfectly formed child by intercourse with the muses than by intercourse with my wife.”

Knows Children Wife My Wife Muse Intercourse

Book:Complete Essays

Source: Complete Essays

“It has never occurred to me to wish for empire or royalty, nor for the eminence of those high and commanding fortunes. My aim lies not in that direction; I love myself too well.”

Wells Lying Wish Aim Fortune Empires Royalty Love Myself I Love Myself Eminence

Author:Michel de Montaigne

“I do not portray the thing in itself. I portray the passage; not a passing from one age to another, or, as the people put it, from seven years to seven years, but from day to day, from minute to minute.”

People Years Age Minutes Seven Passing Passings Passages Day To Day Seven Years

Author:Michel de Montaigne

“The good, supreme, divine poetry is above the rules and reason. Whoever discerns its beauty with a firm, sedate gaze does not see it, any more than he sees the splendor of a lightning flash. It does not persuade our judgement, it ravishes and overwhelms it.”

Doe Reason Divine Supreme Firm Judgement Poetry Is Flash Lightning Splendor

Book:Complete Essays

Source: Complete Essays