The Complete Works of Michel de Montaigne: Illustrated (Evergreen Classics)

Montaigne freely borrowed of others, and he has found men willing to borrow of him as freely. We need not wonder at the reputation which he with seeming facility achieved. He was, without being aware of it, the leader of a new school in letters and morals. His book was different from all others which were at that date in the world. It diverted the

A man of genius belongs to no period and no country. He speaks the language of nature, which is always everywhere the same.

For my part, I prefer to be quiet rather than clever: give me content, even if I am not to be so wide in my range.

We may suppose that he began to compose the Essays at the very outset of his retirement from public engagements; for as, according to his own account, observes the President Bouhier, he cared neither for the chase, nor building, nor gardening, nor agricultural pursuits, and was exclusively occupied with reading and reflection, he devoted himself wi

the Frenchman’s literary importance largely results from the share which his mind had in influencing other minds, coeval and subsequent.

(for virtue and ambition, unfortunately, seldom lodge together),