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Michel de Montaigne (Lord Michel Eyquem de Montaigne)

(1533 – 1592) One of the most influential writers of the French Renaissance, known for popularising the essay as a literary genre and is popularly thought of as the father of Modern Skepticism. He became famous for his effortless ability to merge serious intellectual speculation with casual anecdotes and autobiography — and his massive volume Essais (translated literally as "Attempts") contains, to this day, some of the most widely influential essays ever written.

A good marriage would be between a blind wife and a deaf husband.

A man may be humble through vainglory.

A man must be a little mad if he does not want to be even more stupid.

A wise man sees as much as he ought, not as much as he can.

All of the days go toward death and the last one arrives there.

All the opinions in the world point out that pleasure is our aim.

As far as fidelity is concerned, there is no animal in the world as treacherous as man.

As far as physicians go, chance is more valuable than knowledge.

As for extraordinary things, all the provision in the world would not suffice.

Confidence in the goodness of another is good proof of one's own goodness.