I was wondering recently how the error arose which leads us to have recourse to God in all our doings and designs, calling upon him in every kind of need and in any place whatsoever where our weakness needs support, without once considering whether the occasion is just or unjust. No matter how we are or what we are doing — however sinful it may be — we invoke God’s name and power.

[J’avoy presentement en la pensée, d’où nous venoit cett’ erreur, de recourir à Dieu en tous nos desseins & entreprises, & l’appeller à toute sorte de besoing, & en quelque lieu que nostre foiblesse veut de l’aide, sans considerer si l’occasion est juste ou injuste ; & d’escrier son nom, & sa puissance, en quelque estat, & action que nous soyons, pour vitieuse qu’elle soit.]

Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) French essayist

Essays, Book 1, ch. 56 (1.56), “Of Prayers [Des prieres]” (1572-1580) [tr. Screech (1987)]
    (Source)

The first part of this (up to "in all our doings and designs") was in the 1st (1580) edition; the rest of this extract was added for the 2nd (1588) edition.

(Source (French)). Alternate translations:

I was even now considering, whence this generall errour commeth, that in all our desseignes and enterprises, of what nature soever, we immediately have recourse unto God, and in every necessitie, we call upon his holy name: And at what time soever wee stand in neede of any help, and that our weaknesse wanteth assistance, we onely invoke him, without considering whether the occasion be just or unjust; and what estate or action we be in, or go about, be it never so vicious or unlawfull, we call upon his name and power.
[tr. Florio (1603)]

It just now comes into my mind, from whence we should derive the error of having recourse to God in all our designs and enterprises, of applying to him in all our wants, and in all places where our weakness stands in need of support, without considering whether the occasion be just or otherwise, and of invoking his name and power, in what estate soever we are, or what action we are engaged in, how vicious soever.
[tr. Cotton (1686)]

It just now came into my mind, whence it is we should derive that error of having recourse to God in all our designs and enterprises, to call Him to our assistance in all sorts of affairs, and in all places where our weakness stands in need of support, without considering whether the occasion be just or otherwise; and to invoke His name and power, in what state soever we are, or action we are engaged in, howsoever vicious.
[tr. Cotton/Hazlitt (1877)]

I was reflecting just now on whence comes this error of ours of having recourse to God in all our schemes and undertakings, and of calling upon him in every sort of necessity and in whatsoever place our weakness desires aid, without considering whether the occasion be responsible or unreasonable; and of invoking his name and his power, whatever condition and action we may be in, vicious though it may be.
[tr. Ives (1925)]

I was just now thinking about where that error of ours comes from, of having recourse to God in all our designs and enterprises, and calling on him in every kind of need and in whatever spot our weakness wants help, without considering whether the occasion is just or unjust, and invoking his name and his power, in whatever condition or action we are involved, however vicious it may be.
[tr. Frame (1943)]