Michel de Montaigne Quotes

Plato is dear to me, but dearer still is truth.

Neither truth, reason, nor justice consists in stubbornness of assertion, nor in the repetition of error.

What for centuries raised man above the beast is not the cudgel but the irresistible power of unarmed truth.

We become just by performing just action, temperate by performing temperate actions, brave by performing brave action.

It is not from reason that justice springs, but goodness is born of wisdom.

Quality in a classical Greek sense is how to live with grace and intelligence, with bravery and mercy.

We speak of virtue, honour, reason; but our thought does not translate any one of these concepts into a substance.

An honest heart being the first blessing, a knowing head is the second.

We must become just be doing just acts.

To live well and honorably and justly are the same thing.

To think truly is noble and to be deceived is base.

Silence is the cornerstone of character.

Reason and truth will prevail at last

It is salutary for us to learn to hold cheap such things, be they good or evil, as attach indifferently to good men and bad, and to covet those good things which belong only to good men, and flee those evils which belong only to evil men.

O how sweet it is to enjoy life, Living in honesty and strength! And wisdom is sweet, And freedom.

I have never seen one who really loves goodness or one who really hates wickedness. One who really loves goodness will not place anything above it. One who really hates wickedness will practice goodness in such a way that wickedness will have no chance to get at him. Is there anyone who has devoted his whole strength to doing good for even as long as a single day? I have not seen anyone give up such an attempt because he had not the strength to go on. Perhaps there is such a case, but I have never seen it.

The superior man is anxious lest he should not get the truth; he is not anxious lest poverty should come upon him.

ATHENA: You wish to be called righteous rather than act right. [...] I say, wrong must not win by technicalities.

The man who in view of gain thinks of righteousness; who in the view of danger is prepared to give up his life; and who does not forget an old agreement however far back it extends - such a man may be reckoned a complete man.

All other knowledge is hurtful to him who has not honesty and good-nature

It is no easy task to be good.

It is not in everyone's power to secure wealth, office, or honors; but everyone may be good, generous, and wise.

Virtuous men alone possess friends.

I have one request: may I never use my reason against truth.

He swift don't win the race. It goes to the worthy, who can divide the word of truth.