Daily quote |
Michel de Montaigne (Lord Michel Eyquem de Montaigne)There is no man so good that if he placed all his actions and thoughts under the scrutiny of the laws, he would not deserve hanging ten times in his life. There is not much less vexation in the government of a private family than in the managing of an entire state. There were never in the world two opinions alike, any more than two hairs or two grains. Their most universal quality is diversity. Things are not bad in themselves, but our cowardice makes them so. Virtue refuses facility for her companion ... the easy, gentle, and sloping path that guides the footsteps of a good natural disposition is not the path of true virtue. It demands a rough and thorny road. We are Christians by the same title as we are natives of Perigord or Germany. We are, I know not how, double in ourselves, so that what we believe we disbelieve, and cannot rid ourselves of what we condemn. We are, I know not how, double in ourselves, so that what we believe we disbelieve, and cannot rid ourselves of what we condemn. We can be knowledgable with other men's knowledge but we cannot be wise with other men's wisdom. We must not attach knowledge to the mind, we have to incorporate it there. |