“I do not speak the minds of others except to speak my own mind better.”

— Michel de Montaigne, Essais, Book I, Ch. 26 (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.”

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

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

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

“Remember that all is opinion.”

“By a tranquil mind I mean nothing else than a mind well ordered.”

“Thought is all light, and publishes itself to the universe.”

“Up! mind thine own aim, and God speed the mark!”

“The real and lasting victories are those of peace, and not of war.”