My trade and my art is living.

What it means

Montaigne defends writing about himself: architects speak of buildings, and his subject is life. Living well is a craft that can be studied and improved. Practice it like one.

The source

"My trade and my art is living." Montaigne said it in Essays 2.6 (Of Practice). Translated from the original French by Spartan Surfers.

"Mon mestier et mon art, c'est viure."

Original French, Essays 2.6 (Of Practice). 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 "My trade and my art is living." mean?

Montaigne defends writing about himself: architects speak of buildings, and his subject is life. Living well is a craft that can be studied and improved. Practice it like one.

Who said "My trade and my art is living."?

Montaigne (1533–1592). Source: Essays 2.6 (Of Practice).

What is the original French?

Mon mestier et mon art, c'est viure. Translated from the original French by Spartan Surfers.

Is "My trade and my art is living." on a shirt?

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

"My trade and my art is living." (Montaigne, Essays 2.6 (Of Practice), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/my-trade-and-my-art-is-living