Michel de Montaigne1533–1592He who should teach men to die would at the same time teach them to live.
Essais, Book I, “That to Study Philosophy is to Learn to Die” (tr. Cotton, rev. W. Hazlitt, 1842)- Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919), Book iii. Chap 2. Of Repentance
Man is certainly stark mad; he cannot make a worm, and yet he will be making gods by dozens.
Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919), Book II, Ch. 12. Apology for Raimond Sebond- Essais (wr. 1571–92; pub. 1580–95), Book I, Ch. 18
The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.
Essais (wr. 1571–92; pub. 1580–95), Book I, Ch. 39- Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919), Book II, Ch. 17. Of Presumption
- Essais (wr. 1571–92; pub. 1580–95), Book I, Ch. 31. Of Divine Ordinances (tr. Cotton, rev. W. Hazlitt, 1842)
- Essais (wr. 1571–92; pub. 1580–95), Book I, Ch. 30. Of Cannibals (tr. Cotton, rev. W. Hazlitt, 1842)
- Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919), Book II, Ch. 12. Apology for Raimond Sebond
I do not speak the minds of others except to speak my own mind better.
Essais (wr. 1571–92; pub. 1580–95), Book I, Ch. 26. On the Education of ChildrenHow many worthy men have we seen survive their own reputation!
Essays, Book II, Ch. 16, Of GloryThe laws of conscience, which we pretend to be derived from nature, proceed from custom.
Essais (wr. 1571–92; pub. 1580–95), Book I, Ch. 22. Of Custom (tr. Cotton, rev. W. Hazlitt, 1842)How many things served us yesterday for articles of faith, which today are fables for us?
Essays, Book I, Ch. 27, It is folly to measure the true and false by our own capacityWhen I play with my cat, who knows whether I do not make her more sport than she makes me?
Essays, Book II, Ch. 12, Apology for Raimond Sebond- Essays, Book III, Ch. 2, Of Repentance
