How to Live: A Life of Montaigne
In "How to Live: A Life of Montaigne," Sarah Bakewell explores the life and philosophy of Michel de Montaigne, a 16th-century French thinker known for his introspective essays. She examines how Montaigne's reflections on existence, self-examination, and the human condition remain relevant today, offering readers practical insights into living a thoughtful and authentic life. Through engaging anecdotes and philosophical discussions, Bakewell invites readers to embrace uncertainty and embrace the complexities of their own experiences.
10 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from How to Live: A Life of Montaigne, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.
We must not be ashamed to be ourselves.
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
Life is a very narrow bridge; the important thing is to not be afraid.
The more we know, the more we realize we know nothing.
There is no such thing as a perfect life.
To write is to think, and to think is to live.
We should not be afraid of our own thoughts.
Every day we must make the choice to be at peace with ourselves.
The only way to deal with life is to find joy in it.