Quotes from The Complete Essays
17 notable lines from Michel de Montaigne · 1580
What do I know?
Quotations follow the Donald M. Frame translation (Stanford University Press, 1958) — our recommended edition.
If a man should importune me to give a reason why I loved him, I find it could no otherwise be expressed, than by making answer: because it was he, because it was I.
On his friendship with Étienne de La Boétie, Of Friendship, I.27 · trans. Cotton If I am asked 'Why did you love him?' I feel that it can only be expressed by answering: 'Because it was him, because it was me.'
Michel de Montaigne, The Complete Essays I do not portray being: I portray passing.
Of Repentance, III.2 · trans. Donald M. Frame On the highest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own bottom.
Of Experience, III.13 · trans. Donald M. Frame When I play with my cat, who knows whether I do not make her more sport than she makes me?
Apology for Raymond Sebond, II.12 · trans. Cotton Every man carries the entire form of the human condition.
Of Repentance, III.2 · trans. Donald M. Frame Thus, reader, I am myself the matter of my book: there's no reason thou shouldst employ thy leisure about so frivolous and vain a subject.
The Author to the Reader · trans. Cotton He who should teach men to die would at the same time teach them to live.
That to Study Philosophy Is to Learn to Die, I.19 · trans. Cotton/Hazlitt When I dance, I dance; when I sleep, I sleep.
Of Experience, III.13 · trans. Donald M. Frame Every one gives the title of barbarism to everything that is not in use in his own country.
Of Cannibals, I.30 · trans. Cotton/Hazlitt I quote others only in order the better to express myself.
Michel de Montaigne, The Complete Essays Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.
Michel de Montaigne, The Complete Essays I want death to find me planting my cabbages, but careless of death, and still more of my unfinished garden.
That to Study Philosophy Is to Learn to Die, I.19 · trans. Donald M. Frame There is no desire more natural than that of knowledge.
Opening line, Of Experience, III.13 · trans. Cotton/Hazlitt The most manifest sign of wisdom is a continual cheerfulness.
Of the Education of Children, I.25 · trans. Cotton He who fears he shall suffer, already suffers what he fears.
Of Cripples, III.11 · trans. Cotton