“ The Pythagoreans make good to be certain and finite, and evil, infinite and uncertain. There are a thousand ways to miss the white, there is only one to hit it. ”
Michel de Montaigne, The Essays of Michel de Montaigne (1580). copy citation
Author | Michel de Montaigne |
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Source | The Essays of Michel de Montaigne |
Topic | evil good |
Date | 1580 |
Language | English |
Reference | |
Note | Translated by Charles Cotton |
Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/3600/3600-h/3600-h.htm |
Context
“If falsehood had, like truth, but one face only, we should be upon better terms; for we should then take for certain the contrary to what the liar says: but the reverse of truth has a hundred thousand forms, and a field indefinite, without bound or limit. The Pythagoreans make good to be certain and finite, and evil, infinite and uncertain. There are a thousand ways to miss the white, there is only one to hit it. For my own part, I have this vice in so great horror, that I am not sure I could prevail with my conscience to secure myself from the most manifest and extreme danger by an impudent and solemn lie. An ancient father says “ that a dog we know is better company than a man whose language we do not understand. ””
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