The man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears.

—Michel de Montaigne

About Michel de Montaigne

Portrait of Michel de Montaigne

Michel Eyquem, Seigneur de Montaigne (28 February 1533 – 13 September 1592), commonly known as just Michel de Montaigne, was one of the most significant writers of the French Renaissance. He is known for popularising the essay as a literary genre. His work is noted for its merging of casual...

More quotations from Michel de Montaigne

When I am attacked by gloomy thoughts, nothing helps me so much as running to my books. They quickly absorb me and banish the clouds from my mind.

—Michel de Montaigne

Don't discuss yourself, for you are bound to lose; if you belittle yourself, you are believed; if you praise yourself, you are disbelieved.

—Michel de Montaigne

belief self-centeredness praise

He who is not very strong in memory should not meddle with lying.

—Michel de Montaigne

The most profound joy has more of gravity than of gaiety in it.

—Michel de Montaigne

There are some defeats more triumphant than victories.

—Michel de Montaigne

More quotations tagged with “suffering”

My father . . . used to say, "I need my anger. It obliges me to take action." I think my father was partly right. Anger arises, naturally, to signal disturbing situations that might require action. But actions initiated in anger perpetuate suffering. The most effective actions are those conceived in the wisdom of clarity.

—Sylvia Boorstein

action wisdom suffering anger clarity

Knowing he was suffering pained me. That's the way love tangles you up. I couldn't stop loving him, and couldn't shut off the feelings of wanting to care for him—but I also didn't have to run to answer his letters. I was hurting, too, and no one was running to me.

—Paula McLain in The Paris Wife

love suffering care

Great artists suffer for the people.

What he did was wrong. He doesn't deserve your love. But he does deserve your forgiveness, because otherwise he will grow like a weed in your heart until it's choked and overrun. The only person who suffers, when you squirrel away all that hate, is you.

—Jodi Picoult in The Storyteller

love hate forgiveness suffering

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.

—Russell Baker

enjoyment suffering summer