Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Everyone says foolish things sometimes, but the real error is doing so on purpose.
In plain terms
Accidental silliness is normal, but doing it on purpose is the problem.
What can you take from it?
Deliberate foolishness is worse than accidental errors.

Where it applies

  • decision making
  • social interaction
  • leadership

Putting it to work

  • thinking before speaking
  • avoiding ego
  • seeking truth

Questions to consider

  • Do you speak without thinking?
  • Why do we say silly things?

Another view

Sometimes people speak foolishly out of habit rather than intent.

More from Michel de Montaigne

  1. My life has been full of terrible misfortunes most of which never happened.

    Permalink to quote #102
  2. No wind serves him who addresses his voyage to no certain port.

    Permalink to quote #104
  3. Marriage, a market which has nothing free but the entrance.

    Permalink to quote #101

Related quotes

  1. A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis.

    John LydgateJohn Lydgate quote #1
  2. He pronounced the letter R (littera canina) very hard - a certaine signe of a Satyricall Witt.

    John AubreyJohn Aubrey quote #9
  3. Most men make little use of their speech than to give evidence against their own understanding.

    George SavileGeorge Savile quote #25