John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Page 962
| Michel Eyquem, seigneur de Montaigne. (1533–1592) (continued) |
| 9289 |
| Some impose upon the world that they believe that which they do not; others, more in number, make themselves believe that they believe, not being able to penetrate into what it is to believe. |
| Book ii. Chap. xii. Apology for Raimond Sebond. |
| 9290 |
| When I play with my cat, who knows whether I do not make her more sport than she makes me? |
| Book ii. Chap. xii. Apology for Raimond Sebond. |
| 9291 |
| ’T is one and the same Nature that rolls on her course, and whoever has sufficiently considered the present state of things might certainly conclude as to both the future and the past. 1 |
| Book ii. Chap. xii. Apology for Raimond Sebond. |
| 9292 |
| The souls of emperors and cobblers are cast in the same mould…. The same reason that makes us wrangle with a neighbour causes a war betwixt princes. |
| Book ii. Chap. xii. Apology for Raimond Sebond. |
| 9293 |
| Man is certainly stark mad; he cannot make a worm, and yet he will be making gods by dozens. |
| Book ii. Chap. xii. Apology for Raimond Sebond. |
| 9294 |
| Why may not a goose say thus: “All the parts of the universe I have an interest in: the earth serves me to walk upon, the sun to light me; the stars have their influence upon me; I have such an advantage by the winds and such by the waters; there is nothing that yon heavenly roof looks upon so favourably as me. I am the darling of Nature! Is it not man that keeps and serves me?” 2 |
| Book ii. Chap. xii. Apology for Raimond Sebond. |
| 9295 |
| Arts and sciences are not cast in a mould, but are formed and perfected by degrees, by often handling and polishing, as bears leisurely lick their cubs into form. 3 |
| Book ii. Chap. xii. Apology for Raimond Sebond. |
| 9296 |
| He that I am reading seems always to have the most force. |
| Book ii. Chap. xii. Apology for Raimond Sebond. |
| Note 1. See Plutarch, Quotation 30. [back] |
| Note 2. See Pope, Quotation 35. [back] |
| Note 3. See Burton, Quotation 7. [back] |