Michel de Montaigne Quotes
Michel de Montaigne was a French Renaissance philosopher and the inventor of the modern essay. Withdrawing in middle age to his tower library, he composed the three books of the Essais, an unprecedented program of self-examination conducted in dialogue with Greek and Roman authors. The quotes below are attributed to Michel de Montaigne, organized by topic.
Michel de Montaigne on Justice
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Attributed to Michel de Montaigne:
“There is no man so good, who, were he to submit all his thoughts and actions to the laws, would not deserve hanging ten times in his life.”
Michel de Montaigne on Knowledge
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Attributed to Michel de Montaigne:
“What do I know?”
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Attributed to Michel de Montaigne:
“Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.”
Michel de Montaigne on Life
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Attributed to Michel de Montaigne:
“On the highest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own bottom.”
Michel de Montaigne on Mind
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Attributed to Michel de Montaigne:
“The thing I fear most is fear.”
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Attributed to Michel de Montaigne:
“He who fears he shall suffer, already suffers what he fears.”
Michel de Montaigne on Virtue
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Attributed to Michel de Montaigne:
“Lend yourself to others, but give yourself to yourself.”