“ It is impossible to make a man naturally blind conceive that he does not see; impossible to make him desire sight, or to regret his defect ”
Michel de Montaigne, The Essays of Michel de Montaigne (1580). copy citation
| Author | Michel de Montaigne |
|---|---|
| Source | The Essays of Michel de Montaigne |
| Topic | regret desire |
| Date | 1580 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by Charles Cotton |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/3600/3600-h/3600-h.htm |
Context
“Or th’ other senses, shall the nose or eyes Confute in their peculiar faculties?”
They all make the extremest limits of our ability:—
Seorsum cuique potestas Divisa est, sua vis cuique est, “Each has its power distinctly and alone, And every sense’s power is its own.”
It is impossible to make a man naturally blind conceive that he does not see; impossible to make him desire sight, or to regret his defect; for which reason we ought not to derive any assurance from the soul’s being contented and satisfied with those we have; considering that it cannot be sensible herein of its infirmity and imperfection, if there be any such thing.”
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