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The most certain sign of wisdom is cheerfulness.
Michel De Montaigne
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Interpretation

What this quote means

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.

Themes

WisdomCheerfulnessHappinessPositivityIntellect

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech about resilience, quoting this can emphasize the power of a positive mindset.

More from Michel De Montaigne

All the world knows me in my book, and my book in me.
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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.
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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.
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There is not much less vexation in the government of a private family than in the managing of an entire state.
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Those who have compared our life to a dream were right... we were sleeping wake, and waking sleep.
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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.
Michel De MontaigneRead

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