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Michel De Montaigne Quotes

73 Top Michel De Montaigne Quotes That Are Life Changing

Famous As: One of the Most Significant Philosophers of the French Renaissance

Born On: 1533

Died On: 1592

Born In: Château de Montaigne, France

Died At Age: 59

Michel Eyquem de Montaigne was a French philosopher who lived during the French Renaissance in the 16th century. He is counted among the most important philosophers of that era that witnessed far reaching developments in the field of philosophy. Montaigne was born in a wealthy family and was educated privately, before attending some of the premier educational institutions in France. He became a member of the legal system in Toulouse and eventually a nobleman for Charles IX, . He is however, known for his considerable work as a philosopher during the French Renaissance. At the same time it is also worthwhile pointing out that when he was alive, he was more famous as a formidable statesman than as a philosopher. Montaigne is particularly well-known for having taken the humble essay to a different level and turning it into a legitimate literary genre, many of which were autobiographical or anecdotal in nature. Some of his better known theories and contributions include ‘Renaissance humanism’, ‘Renaissance skepticism’ and ‘Montaigne’s wheel argument’. Montaigne was a man of rare intellect and talent who left behind a vast work on philosophy, education, wisdom, politics, life and much more. His works highlight his thoughts on these subjects. We have excerpted his thoughts and quotes from his work. Here is a collection of thoughts, sayings and quotations by Michel de Montaigne on friendship, philosophy, essays, books, education, fear, wisdom love and death.

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Philosophers

Intellectuals & Academics

The most certain sign of wisdom is cheerfulness.

The most certain sign of wisdom is cheerfulness.
Michel de Montaigne

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

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

The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.

The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.
Michel de Montaigne

I do not care so much what I am to others as I care what I am to myself.

I do not care so much what I am to others as I care what I am to myself.
I
Michel de Montaigne

I quote others only in order the better to express myself.

I quote others only in order the better to express myself.
I
Michel de Montaigne

When I am attacked by gloomy thoughts, nothing helps me so much as running to my books. They quickly absorb me and banish the clouds from my mind.

When I am attacked by gloomy thoughts, nothing helps me so much as running to my books. They quickly absorb me and banish the clouds from my mind.
Me Books I
Michel de Montaigne

He who fears he shall suffer, already suffers what he fears.

He who fears he shall suffer, already suffers what he fears.
Michel de Montaigne

If I speak of myself in different ways, that is because I look at myself in different ways.

If I speak of myself in different ways, that is because I look at myself in different ways.
I
Michel de Montaigne

Learned we may be with another man's learning: we can only be wise with wisdom of our own.

Learned we may be with another man's learning: we can only be wise with wisdom of our own.
Michel de Montaigne

If you press me to say why I loved him, I can say no more than because he was he, and I was I.

If you press me to say why I loved him, I can say no more than because he was he, and I was I.
You Me I
Michel de Montaigne

Nothing fixes a thing so intensely in the memory as the wish to forget it.

Nothing fixes a thing so intensely in the memory as the wish to forget it.
Michel de Montaigne

There is nothing more notable in Socrates than that he found time, when he was an old man, to learn music and dancing, and thought it time well spent.

There is nothing more notable in Socrates than that he found time, when he was an old man, to learn music and dancing, and thought it time well spent.
Time Music
Michel de Montaigne

I am afraid that our eyes are bigger than our stomachs, and that we have more curiosity than understanding. We grasp at everything, but catch nothing except wind.

I am afraid that our eyes are bigger than our stomachs, and that we have more curiosity than understanding. We grasp at everything, but catch nothing except wind.
I
Michel de Montaigne

Man is certainly stark mad; he cannot make a worm, and yet he will be making gods by dozens.

Man is certainly stark mad; he cannot make a worm, and yet he will be making gods by dozens.
Will
Michel de Montaigne

Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.

Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.
Michel de Montaigne

To forbid us anything is to make us have a mind for it.

To forbid us anything is to make us have a mind for it.
Michel de Montaigne

Lend yourself to others, but give yourself to yourself.

Lend yourself to others, but give yourself to yourself.
Yourself
Michel de Montaigne

I prefer the company of peasants because they have not been educated sufficiently to reason incorrectly.

I prefer the company of peasants because they have not been educated sufficiently to reason incorrectly.
I
Michel de Montaigne

Obsession is the wellspring of genius and madness.

Obsession is the wellspring of genius and madness.
Michel de Montaigne

If there is such a thing as a good marriage, it is because it resembles friendship rather than love.

If there is such a thing as a good marriage, it is because it resembles friendship rather than love.
Love
Michel de Montaigne

Let us give Nature a chance; she knows her business better than we do.

Let us give Nature a chance; she knows her business better than we do.
Nature Business
Michel de Montaigne

My art and profession is to live.
Art
Michel de Montaigne

I speak the truth, not so much as I would, but as much as I dare; and I dare a little more as I grow older.

I speak the truth, not so much as I would, but as much as I dare; and I dare a little more as I grow older.
I
Michel de Montaigne

Off I go, rummaging about in books for sayings which please me.

Off I go, rummaging about in books for sayings which please me.
Me Books I
Michel de Montaigne

Confidence in others' honesty is no light testimony of one's own integrity.

Confidence in others' honesty is no light testimony of one's own integrity.
Michel de Montaigne

The greater part of the world's troubles are due to questions of grammar.

The greater part of the world's troubles are due to questions of grammar.
Michel de Montaigne

The most fruitful and natural exercise for our minds is, in my opinion, conversation.

The most fruitful and natural exercise for our minds is, in my opinion, conversation.
Michel de Montaigne

Every man has within himself the entire human condition

Every man has within himself the entire human condition
Michel de Montaigne

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.

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.
Believe I
Michel de Montaigne