1,152 Quotes by Michel de Montaigne

I find I am much prouder of the victory I obtain over myself, when, in the very ardor of dispute, I make myself submit to my adversary’s force of reason, than I am pleased with the victory I obtain over him through his weakness.

From books all I seek is to give myself pleasure by an honourable pastime: or if I do study, I seek only that branch of learning which deals with knowing myself and which teaches me how to live and die well...

Als ik mijn mening te berde breng, is dat om te laten zien hoever mijn blik reikt, niet wat de reikwijdte van de dingen is.

I love to discourse and dispute, but it is with but few men, and for myself; for to do it as a spectacle and entertainment to great persons, and to make of a man’s wit and words competitive parade is, in my opinion, very unbecoming a man of honor.

Det er en kjedelig uvane som særlig går ut over damene, å måtte låne ut leppene til hvem som helst som har tre tjenere på slep, uansett hvor frastøtende han er.

I do not believe, from what I have been told about this people, that there is anything barbarous or savage about them, except that we all call barbarous anything that is contrary to our own habits.

The great and glorious masterpiece of man is to live with purpose.

We cannot be held to promises beyond our power or our means. That is why - since nothing is really in our power but our will - it is on the will that all the rules and duties of Man are based and established.

On the highest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own bottom.