Even in our counsels and deliberations there must, certainly, be something of chance and good-luck mixed with human prudence; for all that our wisdom can do alone is no great matter; the more piercing, quick, and apprehensive it is, the weaker it finds itself, and is by so much more apt to mistrust itself.... [Given] the shortsightedness of human wisdom...the surest way, in my opinion, did no other consideration invite us to it, is to pitch upon that wherein is the greatest appearance of honesty and justice; and not, being certain of the shortest, to keep the straightest and most direct way.
Michel de Montaigne
Showing posts with label Montaigne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Montaigne. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Tuesday, September 05, 2017
Friday, August 18, 2017
No one departs out of life otherwise than if he had but just before entered into it.... We should always, as near as we can, be booted and spurred, and ready to go.
Michel de Montaigne
Michel de Montaigne
Labels:
contemplation,
death,
existence,
life,
life ideas,
Montaigne,
philosophy,
reflection
Sunday, July 02, 2017
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Friday, June 09, 2017
Virtue and ambition, unfortunately, seldom lodge together.
Michel de Montaigne
Michel de Montaigne
Labels:
ambition,
bureaucracy,
diplomacy,
government,
international relations,
Montaigne,
politics,
power
Friday, May 19, 2017
The only remedy, the only rule, and the sole doctrine for avoiding the
evils by which mankind is surrounded, whatever they are, is to resolve
to bear them so far as our nature permits, or to put an end to them
courageously and promptly.
Michel de Montaigne
Michel de Montaigne
Labels:
courage,
life ideas,
Montaigne,
purpose,
reason,
reflection
Monday, January 16, 2017
The first step in dealing with the madness of the political world is not to let it make you crazy.... Fanaticism always seems foolish until it locks you up.
Adam Gopnik, Mixed Up: Montaigne On Trial (New Yorker, Jan 16, 2017)
Adam Gopnik, Mixed Up: Montaigne On Trial (New Yorker, Jan 16, 2017)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)