All the world knows me in my book, and my book in me.
Michel De MontaigneRead
In my opinion, the most fruitful and natural play of the mind is conversation. I find it sweeter than any other action in life; and if I were forced to choose, I think I would rather lose my sight than my hearing and voice. The study of books is a drowsy and feeble exercise which does not warm you up.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Conversation is a vital and enriching part of life, more valuable than reading.
In this quote, Michel De Montaigne expresses the importance of conversation as an essential and lively form of mental engagement. He suggests that the richness of human interaction through dialogue surpasses other activities, like reading, which he views as a less dynamic form of learning and connection.
Themes
ConversationDialogueMindInteractionLearning
In practice
Example use cases
During a team-building retreat, we discussed the importance of open conversation in fostering collaboration.
More from Michel De Montaigne
All quotes βAll I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.
Michel De MontaigneRead
Pythagoras used to say that life resembles the Olympic Games: a few people strain their muscles to carry off a prize; others bring trinkets to sell to the crowd for gain; and some there are, and not the worst, who seek no other profit than to look at the show and see how and why everything is done; spectators of the life of other people in order to judge and regulate their own.
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There is not much less vexation in the government of a private family than in the managing of an entire state.
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Those who have compared our life to a dream were right... we were sleeping wake, and waking sleep.
Michel De MontaigneRead
Such as are in immediate fear of a losing their estates, of banishment, or of slavery, live in perpetual anguish, and lose all appetite and repose; whereas such as are actually poor, slaves, or exiles, ofttimes live as merrily as other folk.
Michel De MontaigneRead
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