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
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.
In practice
In a philosophy class discussing the nature of reality, this quote can be shared to spark debate.
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.
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.
I have never seen a greater monster or miracle in the world than myself.
The law speaks too softly to be heard amidst the din of arms.
Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life.
Do not commit spiritual suicide through a passion for discussing metaphysical subtleties.
The man who meets with a failure attributes this failure rather to the ill will of another than to fate.
Everywhere is the center of the world. Everything is sacred.
The world, dear Agnes, is a strange affair.
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