Michel de Montaigne, [Michel Eyquem De Montaigne] (1532-1592) French Renaissance scholar, philosopher, writer Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page [1-17] of 17 Michel de Montaigne quotesMichel de Montaigne QuotesMichel de Montaigne He who is not sure of his memory, should not undertake the trade of lying.~ Michel de Montaigne Not being able to govern events, I govern myself.~ Michel de Montaigne I prefer the company of peasants because they have not been educated sufficiently to reason incorrectly.~ Michel de Montaigne If falsehood, like truth, had but one face, we would be more on equal terms. For we would consider the contrary of what the liar said to be certain. But the opposite of truth has a hundred thousand faces and an infinite field.~ Michel De Montaigne A man must keep a little back shop where he can be himself without reserve. In solitude alone can he know true freedom.~ Michel De Montaigne If falsehood like truth had only one face, we would be in better shape. For we would take as certain the opposite of what the liar said. But the reverse of truth has a hundred thousand shapes and a limitless field.~ Michel de Montaigne It is a thing of no great difficulty to raise objections against another man's oration -- nay, it is a very easy matter; but to produce a better in its place is a work extremely troublesome.~ Michel De Montaigne Those who give the first shock to a state are the first overwhelmed in its ruin; the fruits of public commotion are seldom enjoyed by him who was the first mover; he only beats the water for another's net.~ Michel De Montaigne I see men ordinarily more eager to discover a reason for things than to find out whether things are so.~ Michel De Montaigne Laws are maintained in credit, not because they are essentially just, but because they are laws. It is the mystical foundation of their authority; they have none other.~ Michel de Montaigne A man of understanding has lost nothing, if he has himself.~ Michel de Montaigne I will follow the right side even to the fire, but excluding the fire if I can.~ Michel de Montaigne To forbid us anything is to make us have a mind for it.~ Michel De Montaigne I am further of opinion that it would be better for us to have [no laws] at all than to have them in so prodigious numbers as we have.~ Michel de Montaigne There is no man so good that if he placed all his actions and thought under the scrutiny of the laws, he would not deserve hanging ten times in his life.~ Michel de Montaigne I quote others only the better to express myself.~ Michel De Montaigne Once conform, once do what others do because they do it, and a kind of lethargy steals over all the finer senses of the soul.~ Michel De Montaigne Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print