I know what I'm running from, not what I'm looking for.

What it means

This was Montaigne's honest answer when people asked why he traveled so much. Sometimes leaving is clearer than arriving. It is fine to go before you know exactly where.

The source

"I know what I'm running from, not what I'm looking for." Montaigne said it in Essays 3.9 (Of Vanity). Translated from the original French by Spartan Surfers.

"Que ie sçay bien ce que ie fuis, mais non pas ce que ie cherche."

Original French, Essays 3.9 (Of Vanity). Text read at gutenberg.org.

Who said it

Montaigne (1533–1592). French magistrate who retired to his tower library and invented the essay. His motto was a question: What do I know?

Questions

What does "I know what I'm running from, not what I'm looking for." mean?

This was Montaigne's honest answer when people asked why he traveled so much. Sometimes leaving is clearer than arriving. It is fine to go before you know exactly where.

Who said "I know what I'm running from, not what I'm looking for."?

Montaigne (1533–1592). Source: Essays 3.9 (Of Vanity).

What is the original French?

Que ie sçay bien ce que ie fuis, mais non pas ce que ie cherche. Translated from the original French by Spartan Surfers.

Is "I know what I'm running from, not what I'm looking for." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"I know what I'm running from, not what I'm looking for." (Montaigne, Essays 3.9 (Of Vanity), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/i-know-what-im-running-from-not-what