It was truly very good reason that we should be beholden to God only, and to the favour of his grace, for the truth of so noble a belief, since from his sole bounty we receive the fruit of immortality, which consists in the enjoyment of eternal beatitude.... The more we give and confess to owe and render to God, we do it with the greater Christianity.
Michel de MontaigneMen ... are not agreed about any one thing, not even that heaven is over our heads.
Michel de MontaigneThe easy, gentle, and sloping path . . . is not the path of true virtue. It demands a rough and thorny road.
Michel de MontaigneIf virtue cannot shine bright, but by the conflict of contrary appetites, shall we then say that she cannot subsist without the assistance of vice, and that it is from her that she derives her reputation and honor?
Michel de Montaigne