Not being able to govern events, I govern myself.

—Michel de Montaigne

self events control

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

We take other men's knowledge and opinions upon trust; which is an idle and superficial learning. We must make them our own. We are just like a man who, needing fire, went to a neighbor's house to fetch it, and finding a very good one there, sat down to warm himself without remembering to carry any back home. What good does it do us to have our belly full of meat if it is not digested, if it is not transformed into us, if it does not nourish and support us?

—Michel de Montaigne

learning knowledge curiosity trust fire

I prefer the company of peasants because they have not been educated sufficiently to reason incorrectly.

—Michel de Montaigne

education poverty logic reason peasants

Let us permit nature to have her way. She understands her business better than we do.

—Michel de Montaigne

nature business

Lend yourself to others, but give yourself to yourself.

—Michel de Montaigne

whoever saw old age that did not applaud the past and condemn the present?

—Michel de Montaigne

past perception age present

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Believe me, I'd go back to the way things were in a minute if I could. But it's just not an option.

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change control nostalgia

You have to choose the life you want. You have to take action and realize that you create your own destiny by making choices and sticking to them.

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action power choices control destiny

Don't take my advice. Or anyone's advice. Trust yourself. For good or for bad, happy or unhappy, it's your life, and what you do with it has always been entirely up to you.

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action life advice ownership self trust control

History

14 Mar 2015 Added