All the world knows me in my book, and my book in me.
Michel De MontaigneRead
The most certain sign of wisdom is cheerfulness.
Interpretation
Wisdom is often reflected in a person's ability to maintain a cheerful demeanor.
This quote suggests that true wisdom is not just about knowledge or intellect, but also about the ability to approach life with positivity and cheerfulness. A wise person can face challenges and uncertainties with a light heart, indicating an understanding of life's complexities and the importance of a positive outlook.
In practice
During a motivational speech about resilience, quoting this can emphasize the power of a positive mindset.
All the world knows me in my book, and my book in me.
All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.
Pythagoras used to say that life resembles the Olympic Games: a few people strain their muscles to carry off a prize; others bring trinkets to sell to the crowd for gain; and some there are, and not the worst, who seek no other profit than to look at the show and see how and why everything is done; spectators of the life of other people in order to judge and regulate their own.
There is not much less vexation in the government of a private family than in the managing of an entire state.
Those who have compared our life to a dream were right... we were sleeping wake, and waking sleep.
Such as are in immediate fear of a losing their estates, of banishment, or of slavery, live in perpetual anguish, and lose all appetite and repose; whereas such as are actually poor, slaves, or exiles, ofttimes live as merrily as other folk.
Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother.
Most novices picture themselves as masters - and are content with the picture. This is why there are so few masters.
Perfection belongs to the Gods; the most _x000D_ we can hope for is excellence.
Overcome the angry by non-anger; overcome the wicked by goodness; overcome the miser by generosity; overcome the liar by truth.
God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things which should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. This prayer was first printed in a monthly bulletin of the Federal Council of Churches and has become enormously popular. It has been circulated in millions of copies.
Excellent warriors are not violent.
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