Michel de Montaigne

I had rather complain of ill-fortune than be ashamed of victory.

Michel de Montaigne

I know no marriages which fail and come to grief more quickly than those which are set on foot by beauty and amorous desire.

Michel de Montaigne

I study myself more than any other subject. That is my metaphysics, that is my physics.

Michel de Montaigne

I will follow the good side right to the fire, but not into it if I can help it.

Michel de Montaigne

If ordinary people complain that I speak too much of myself, I complain that they do not even think of themselves.

Michel de Montaigne

If you press me to say why I loved him, I can say no more than because he was he, and I was I.

Michel de Montaigne

Ignorance is the softest pillow on which a man can rest his head.

Michel de Montaigne

It is good to rub and polish our brain against that of others.

Michel de Montaigne

It is not necessity but abundance which produces greed.

Michel de Montaigne

Lend yourself to others, but give yourself to yourself.

Michel de Montaigne