Michel De Montaigne Quotes - Page 2

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

Judgement can do without knowledge: but not knowledge without judgement.

We must not attach knowledge to the mind, we have to incorporate it there.

Every other knowledge is harmful to him who does not have knowledge of goodness.

We can be knowledgeable with another man's knowledge, but we can't be wise with another man's wisdom.

There is hardly less torment in running a family than in running a country.

[Marriage] happens as with cages: the birds without despair to get in, and those within despair of getting out.

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

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.

I enjoy books as misers enjoy treasures, because I know I can enjoy them whenever I please.

The advantage of living is not measured by length, but by use; some men have lived long, and lived little; attend to it while you are in it. It lies in your will, not in the number of years, for you to have lived enough.

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

The thing I fear most is fear.

A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears.

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

It is not reasonable that art should win the place of honor over our great and powerful mother Nature. We have so overloaded the beauty and richness of her works by our inventions that we have quite smothered her.

If you don't know how to die, don't worry; Nature will tell you what to do on the spot, fully and adequately. She will do this job perfectly for you; don't bother your head about it.

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

Whether we are running our home or studying or hunting or following any other sport, we should go to the very boundaries of pleasure but take good care not to be involved beyond the point where it begins to be mingled with pain.

We should tend our freedom wisely.