All the world knows me in my book, and my book in me.
Michel De MontaigneRead
It is in vain that we get upon stilts, for once on them, it is still with our legs that we must walk. And on the highest throne in the world we are still sitting on our own ass.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success and status do not change the fundamental human experience.
This quote by Michel De Montaigne emphasizes the idea that no matter how high we rise in status or achievement, we remain grounded in our humanity. He suggests that external accolades and positions of power do not alter our intrinsic nature and the basic struggles of life we share as human beings.
Themes
SuccessHumilityHumanityStatusWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about the essence of true success.
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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