All the world knows me in my book, and my book in me.
Michel De MontaigneRead
In plain truth, lying is an accursed vice. We are not men, nor have any other tie upon another, but by our word.
Interpretation
Lying undermines our integrity and the bonds we share through our promises. Truthfulness is fundamental to human relationships.
In this quote, Michel De Montaigne emphasizes the importance of honesty and how our words are the foundation of our relationships with others. By declaring lying as an 'accursed vice', he suggests that integrity is vital for trust and connection among people, as our commitments and assurances bind us to each other.
In practice
During a speech about ethics, one could quote this to highlight the importance of honesty.
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.
Every island to a child is a treasure island.
All the reasonings of men are not worth one sentiment of women.
Likewise grace and glory are referred to the same genus, since grace is nothing other than a certain first beginning of glory in us.
In a constitutional democracy the moral content of law must be given by the morality of the framer or legislator, never by the morality of the judge.
Will is wish, and liberty is power.
If I were asked to define the Hindu creed, I should simply say: search after Truth through non-violent means. Hinduism is a relentless pursuit after truth.
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