All the world knows me in my book, and my book in me.
Michel De MontaigneRead
Those who have compared our life to a dream were right... we were sleeping wake, and waking sleep.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Life is often compared to a dream, suggesting that our experiences may not always be grounded in reality.
In this quote, Michel De Montaigne reflects on the nature of existence, pointing out that life can be perceived as a dream-like state. He emphasizes the duality of our experiences, where we may go through life in a state of unawareness, much like being asleep, yet simultaneously awake to the world, revealing the perplexity of human consciousness and perception.
Themes
LifeDreamRealityExistenceConsciousness
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophy class discussing the nature of reality, this quote can be shared to spark debate.
More from Michel De Montaigne
All quotes βAll 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.
Michel De MontaigneRead
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.
Michel De MontaigneRead
There is not much less vexation in the government of a private family than in the managing of an entire state.
Michel De MontaigneRead
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
I have never seen a greater monster or miracle in the world than myself.
Michel De MontaigneRead
Similar quotes
We all have at least two sides. The world we live in is a world of opposites. And the trick is to reconcile those opposing things. I've always liked both sides. In order to appreciate one you have to know the other. The more darkness you can gather up, the more light you can see too.
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What you see with your eyes is not necessarily real.
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For both parties in a controversy, the most disagreeable way of retaliating is to be vexed and silent; for the aggressor usually regards the silence as a sign of contempt.
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The first stage of this tranquility consists in silencing the lips when the heart is excited. The second, in silencing the mind when the soul is still excited. The goal is a perfect peacefulness even in the middle of the raging storm.
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We do not know what things look like. We know what things are like. It must be a very limiting thing,this seeing. -Aunt Beast
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Revolt is the mirror in which greed is forced to see itself.
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