All the world knows me in my book, and my book in me.
Michel De MontaigneRead
In plain truth, lying is an accursed vice. We are not men, nor have any other tie upon another, but by our word.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Lying undermines our integrity and the bonds we share through our promises. Truthfulness is fundamental to human relationships.
In this quote, Michel De Montaigne emphasizes the importance of honesty and how our words are the foundation of our relationships with others. By declaring lying as an 'accursed vice', he suggests that integrity is vital for trust and connection among people, as our commitments and assurances bind us to each other.
Themes
LyingTruthIntegrityHonestyRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about ethics, one could quote this to highlight the importance of honesty.
More from Michel De Montaigne
All quotes →All 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.
Michel De MontaigneRead
There is not much less vexation in the government of a private family than in the managing of an entire state.
Michel De MontaigneRead
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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