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Quote by Michel de Montaigne

“Truly it is reasonable to make a great distinction between the faults that come from our weakness and those that come from our wickedness.”

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

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“The human face is a weak guarantee; yet it deserves some consideration. And if I had to whip the wicked, I would do so more severely to those who belied and betrayed the promises that nature had implanted on their brows; I would punish malice more harshly when it was hidden under a kindly appearance.”

Ifs Humans Faces Promise Deserve Weak Appearance Deception Wicked Guarantees Consideration Betrayed Malice Whips Brows Human Faces

Author:Michel de Montaigne

“... whoever believes anything esteems that it is a work of charity to persuade another of it.”

Believe Belief Charity Esteem

Book:Complete Essays

Source: Complete Essays

“There are many, many Christians who practice Buddhism, and they become better and better Christians all the time.”

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“Is it not better to remain in suspense than to entangle yourself in the many errors that the human fancy has produced? Is it not better to suspend your convictions than to get mixed up in these seditious and quarrelsome divisions?”

Humans Errors Conviction Suspense Fancy Division Skepticism

Book:Complete Essays

Source: Complete Essays

“I honor most those to whom I show least honor; and where my soul moves with great alacrity, I forget the proper steps of ceremony.”

Soul Self Shows Moving Forget Steps Honor My Soul Ceremony Alacrity

Book:Complete Essays

Source: Complete Essays

“Presumption is our natural and original malady. The most vulnerable and frail of all creatures is man, and at the same time the most arrogant.”

Men Self Natural Human Nature Creatures Originals Vulnerable Arrogance Arrogant Frail Presumption Malady Most Arrogant

Book:Selections from the Essays

Source: Selections from the Essays

“My opinion is that we must lend ourselves to others and give ourselves only to ourselves. If my will happened to be prone to mortgage and attach itself, I would not last: I am too tender, both by nature and by practice.”

Ifs Giving Self Lasts Opinion Practice Happened Human Nature Mortgage

Book:The Complete Essays of Montaigne

Source: The Complete Essays of Montaigne

“To say less of yourself than is true is stupidity, not modesty. To pay yourself less than you are worth is cowardice and pusillanimity.”

Self Pay Stupidity Cowardice Modesty

Book:Complete Essays

Source: Complete Essays

“I would rather be old for a shorter time than be old before my time.”

Self Age Lifetime Old Age My Time

Author:Michel de Montaigne

“There is a certain amount of purpose, acquiescence, and satisfaction in nursing one's melancholy.”

Self Purpose Certain Sadness Human Nature Amount Satisfaction Melancholy Nursing Acquiescence

Book:The Essays

Source: The Essays