In proportion as our own mind is enlarged we discover a greater number of men of originality. Commonplace people see no difference between one man and another.

We are usually convinced more easily by reasons we have found ourselves than by those which have occurred to others.

Men despise religion. They hate it and are afraid it may be true. The cure for this is first to show that religion is not contrary to reason, but worthy of reverence and respect. Next make it attractive, make good men wish it were true and then show that it is.

He who does not know his way to the sea should take a river for his guide.

It is not in Montaigne, but in myself, that I find all that I see in him.

[Unbelievers] think they have made great efforts to get at the truth when they have spent a few hours in reading some book out of Holy Scripture, and have questioned some cleric about the truths of the faith. After that, they boast that they have searched in books and among men in vain.

There are two types of mind . . . the mathematical, and what might be called the intuitive. The former arrives at its views slowly, but they are firm and rigid; the latter is endowed with greater flexibility and applies itself simultaneously to the diverse lovable parts of that which it loves.