Enjoy the best Michel de Montaigne Quotes at BrainyQuote. Michel de Montaigne I quote others only in order the better to express myself. Quotations by Michel de Montaigne, French Philosopher, Born February 28, 1533. Michel de Montaigne was the originator of the modern essay form; in these diverse pieces he expresses his views on friendship, contemplates the idea that man is no different from any animal, argues that all cultures should be respected, and attempts, by an exploration of himself, to understand the nature of humanity. Please enjoy these Michel de Montaigne quotes on Friendship from my collection of Friendship quotes. Nothing is so firmly believed as what is least known. Michel de Montaigne Quotes About Friendship Quotes about: Friendship If you press me to say why I loved him, I can say no more than it was because he was he, and I was I. - Michel de Montaigne. Michel de Montaigne Quotes about Friendship Michel de Montaigne Friendship Quotes. Share with your friends. The initial paragraph drew me in. I was watching an artist on my staff working on a painting when I felt a desire to emulate him. This little volume contains On Friendship and five or six other essays by de Montaigne.