“All passions that suffer themselves to be relished and digested are but moderate.”

— Michel de Montaigne, Essais, Book I, Ch. 2 (wr. 1571–92; pub. 1580–95)

About Michel de Montaigne

1533 – 1592

French Renaissance philosopher, the inventor of the personal essay. His 'Essays' (1580) explore friendship, self-knowledge and human nature.

“Because it was he, because it was I.”

“He who should teach men to die would at the same time teach them to live.”

“Whatever can be done another day can be done today.”

“Turn your wounds into wisdom.”

“All becoming and growing—all that guarantees a future—involves pain.”

“It is better 100 guilty Persons should escape than that one innocent Person should suffer.”

“The superior man thinks of virtue; the small man thinks of comfort.”

“A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority.”

“Let us forget and forgive injuries.”