I write to keep from going mad from the contradictions I find among mankind – and to work some of those contradictions out for myself.
The secret counsels of princes are a troublesome burden to such as have only to execute them.
As for me, then, I love life and cultivate it just as God has been pleased to grant it to us.
If I can, I shall keep my death from saying anything that my life has not already said.
And if nobody reads me, shall I have wasted my time, when I have beguiled so many idle hours with such pleasant and profitable reflections?
There is no virtue which does not rejoice a well-descended nature; there is a kind of I know not what congratulation in well-doing, that gives us an inward satisfaction, and a certain generous boldness that accompanies a good conscience.
I, who am king of the matter I treat, and who owe an accounting for it to no one, do not for all that believe myself in all I write. I often hazard sallies of my mind which I mistrust.
I do not correct my first imaginings by my second – well, yes, perhaps a word or so, but only to vary, not to delete. I want to represent the course of my humors and I want people to see each part at its birth.
The share we have in the knowledge of truth, such as it is, has not been acquired by our own powers. God has taught ushis wonderful secrets; our faith is not of our acquiring, it is purely the gift of another’s bounty.
Of the opinions of philosophy I most gladly embrace those that are most solid, that is to say, most human and most our own; my opinions, in conformity with my conduct, are low and humble.
If people must be talking about me, I would have it to be truthfully and justly. I would willingly return from the next world to contradict any person who described me other than I was, although he did it to honour me.
We should spread joy, but, as far as we can, repress sorrow.
I love a gay and sociable wisdom, and shun harshness and austerity in behaviour, holding every surly countenance suspect.
Judgement holds in me a magisterial seat, at least it carefully tries to. It lets my feelings go their way, both hatred and friendship, even the friendship I bear myself, without being changed and corrupted by them.
Oh, a friend! How true is that old saying, that the enjoyment of one is sweeter and more necessary than that of the elements of water and fire!
Speech belongs half to the speaker, half to the listener. The latter must prepare to receive it according to the motion it takes.
Authors communicate with the people by some special extrinsic mark; I am the first to do so by my entire being, as Michel de Montaigne.
There is no doubt that Greek and Latin are great and handsome ornaments, but we buy them too dear.
Our truth of nowadays is not what is, but what others can be convinced of; just as we call “money” not only that which is legal, but also any counterfeit that will pass.
Almost all the opinions we have are taken on authority and on credit.
Now there cannot be first principles for men, unless the Divinity has revealed them; all the rest – beginning, middle, and end – isnothing but dreams and smoke.