Essays of Montaigne:
1. We reach the same end by discrepant means-
He then begins to explain the bravery within people which is shown in two ways
1. The women who are given time to escape and grab their belongings; their belongings being their husbands and children.
2. The Prisoner who chooses not to say one word to the person who continues to threaten him and when faced with the threat of being “pierced” he still withholds his bravery.
3. The three French noblemen attempting to stop an army that is invading their town.
Imagery : “the women and children left behind to be butchered crying for mercy and throwing themselves at his feet…”
2. On Sadness:
In realizing despair within their family, it becomes extremely difficult to have an emotion at first. A person is in so much pain that their first reaction is to do nothing at all. When hardships are upon those less important, emotions will flow out because mourning is able to appear. It seems that a human doesn’t care as much for the ones that are closer to them, but in reality it is harder to face the despair or death of someone that is valued so much.
1. The man who sees his daughter destined to slavery and his son headed to execution and makes no remark, but then slams his head when he sees a family friend.
2. The man who faces the death of two of his brothers and then a man in his army, which sends his abandoning the army.
1. The women who dies when her son finally returns home.
2. The man who dies after hearing that his enemy, Milan, has finally been captured.
3. Our emotions get carried away beyond us-
Montaigne explains that the number one duty of a person is to be themselves and to know themselves.
The human race must not worry about the future and what is to come because they will live their lives “robbed of their feelings”.
Those of political power must be supported but also reprimanded PUBLICLY if mistreating the freedom and justices of the people.
This goes for relationships amongst common people as well, respect and support those around you, but be sure to let them know when they have invaded your freedom.
The human race is not rendered happy until after they have died.
An allusion to Aristotle
Men are so focused on what their body will lay in after their death. In the last moments in their life men are focusing on planning their funerals. Those who are correct and moral will leave the planning to those that are living. The rich are usually the ones to care so much about what their body will rest in, while the common tend to cherish their last moments and leave the planning for those who live.
Odious-deserving or causing hatred
If men are going to die by execution they must die for the cause and be happy at dying for the cause.
4. How the soul discharges its emotions against false objects when lacking real ones.
A human deals with their issues or angry feelings by blaming something that cannot argue back. It is easiest for a person so blame the wall they ran into, then blame themselves for running into the wall.
Animals work in the same manner. They seek revenge on the item that hurt them rather than the human or other animal that used the weapon against the animal.
Not only do humans blame objects for bad things that happen, they also take out their anger on any easily accessible object.
The human race also tends to blame events which is useless given that they cannot be changed.
The only thing worth blaming that can be changed and help solve the problem is yourself. Look at what part you took in the issue and go about fixing yourself, but many humans don’t think this way and Montaigne expresses that clearly.
5. Whether the governor of a besieged fortress should go out and parley-
A victory is more honored when the attack is planned, rather then attacking by trickery. Many countries have resulted to attacking by trickery because it is the only way to win.
When Henry surrenders because he has more advantages then Eumenes this is an act of honor as well as victory.
It has become very hard to trust the human race as many say one thing and do another, but in this case trust was withheld and it was considered an honorable battle.
6. The Hour Of Parleying is Dangerous-
People allow greed and selfishness to take over their lives and in this case the Roman’s have done a horrible thing.
Times are changing. One day this may have been justice, but now it is considered cruelty.
Orodes symbolizes a true man, an honorable man. The other men resemble cowardice as they say one thing and soon trick the men into other things.
During parley’s many bad things have happened. It almost seems stupid to enter a parley because every time someone turns on the opposite party or plans an attack.
Montaigne is realizing the greedy and trickery within the human race in order to receive power, which becomes something very common during the next years in history.
7. That our deeds are judged by the intention-
Cognizance: awareness, realization, or knowledge; notice; perception
People attempt to preserve their lives after death through passing their “persona” to their children or loved ones.
People take on obligations or responsibilities that they cannot handle. When death comes and they have an obligation a realization needs to be made that they do not have the ability to follow through with the responsibility.
When death arrives, people tend to try and be something they have not been their entire life, but Montaigne wants to withhold the person that he was throughout his life as he encounters death.
8. On idleness-
Women feel empty and useless if they do not receive a “stronger semen” from the male figure to impregnate them and create offspring. Without this interaction a woman feels loneliness and despair.
Montaigne hopes that after he leaves his home, it will continue its ways of beauty. Rather the house takes a leap in the opposite direction which is seen in the quote “it bolted off like a runaway horse”. Also a simile.
Idleness: not working or active; unemployed; doing nothing
People always focus on themselves and what is important to their own life.
1. Woman and creating offspring
2. The house and finally feeling freedom.
9. On liars:
Advantages to a bad memory:
1. You do not talk the ear off of other people because you simply can’t remember enough information.
2. You do not remember the insults made against you.
3. You are open-minded to all new information as you probably have forgotten it.
People of all status lie, including those of nobility and high rank. They also get caught in their lies due to “memory” or simply forgetting what they had told someone.
Lying starts with childhood. Parents are too often punishing their children for things that wont matter in the future, but fail to reprimand their child for something as serious as a lie. Those who become liars inhabit the trait from their parents and the lack of parenting throughout their childhood.
“Only one flight leads to the Bull’s-eye: a thousand miss it.” Metaphor to retelling a lie exactly like they had told it before.
The ambassador is caught lying in front of the king which leads to the rest of his life without property and anything else he owned.
10. On a ready or hesitant delivery-
Some people need the moment to moment thrill in order to perform excellently, while others often focus so much on the nerves and fear of mistakes that they cannot perform without adequate practice.
Personality usually defines which person you will be. An outgoing, confident person may be very easily ready at any moment, while someone who is more shy and hesitant would need further preparation.
Sometimes it takes the power of words and voice to create true meaning within what is being said. The true tone and speed of delivery allows for a clear meaning of what is being said.
Whereas when words are written there is no tone or expression to what is being said and may easily be misunderstood.
The Life of Montaigne
-Born Feb 28, 1533
-father was Pierre Eyquem, cared about his children's education
-well educated and multi lingual
-went to college of Guienne at 6yrs old
-joined military after his oldest brother died
-Began writing essays after retirement from public affairs and continued adding until he died
-Traveled often
-earned a diploma of citizenship in Rome
Essays
-tells of the death of La Boetie; Montaigne never leaves his side during death, knows La Boetie's wishes and thoughts; he thanked Montaigne prior to death and also read his own will out loud; La Boetie called for Montaigne with his last breath
-disagrees with views of "Natural Theology"
-frowns upon the hands of man destroying nature for his own selfish wants
-Talks about how he learned about the kind of man he wants to be through the death of his friend
-Speaks extensively of self worth
-Feels his service in government is unnecessary and may hinder his own life
-A religious man who believes the will of God follows you even after death
-Believes the soul will turn bad if no force opposed the negative
-Asks rhetorical questions throughout the essays
-Often uses nature to portray moral teachings
-speaks of women needing to be ornate and eloquent in all that they do
-beliefs manners and etiquette rule a society
-thinks that to study philosophy is to learn to die
-Talks about how for one man to gain something, another must lose something else
-Eludes to far-fetched ideas
-References Aristotle as a teacher of his
-concludes that nobody can wholeheartedly love two people. Instead, can only love parts of many people or a whole of a single person
22. One man’s profit is another man’s loss
*Someone has to fail in order for us to grow
*Not unnatural to hope that others fail so that we can aid the situation and become seen as a hero
*Failures of others allows us to gain respect
*It is necessary for others to fail so we can continue to be employed
Lawyers- others have to be unhappy so lawyers can keep their jobs
Doctors- people have to remain unhealthy so doctors can continue their practice
Architects- buildings have to fall apart to allow architects to think of new designs
23. On habit: and on never easily changing a traditional law
*Points out how absurd some of things we think are normal actually are
-Most of what we think is normal is just customary- we haven't been exposed to anything else
*After awhile we do things less for ourselves but for the appeasement of others
-Habits provide stability in our lives and in other people's lives
*Suggests that our personalities are made of habits we learned very early in life
-For that reason our weakness and faults in ourselves can be traced back to our earliest influences in life
*Customs/habits have the power to affect our judgments and beliefs
*The beliefs and ideas we hear everyday appear to us as universal and natural so we normally don't question the reasoning behind some of society's beliefs and values
-When we hear about beliefs from other parts of the world it's hard for us to understand them because we have only embraced what our society believes is "normal"
*This results in ignorance
24. Same design: differing outcomes
*You need to have good luck to be successful
-Examples Montaigne points out are in the success of physicians the success of artists and the success of the military
*It's hard for people to believe good outcomes will happen to them because they only have the willingness to look short term instead of long-term
-People are apprehensive to be generous with their time because they're afraid that if they are too generous they will lose sight of what they're trying to accomplish and run out of time
*Jealousy and hypocrisy are what cause bad outcomes to happen to a lot of people because they lose sight of what is morally important
*In the end it's easier to trust no one because that way you have sole control over how an outcome will turn out for yourself
25. On schoolmasters’ learning
*Diversity should be encouraged because it teaches strength and self-confidence
*Diversity should be more widely encouraged because that is how technology and ideas advance
*When applying yourself to an education you can't be short-term oriented and you must think of what is going to better yourself and your peers in the long run
*Teachers focus too much on the memory aspect of an education instead of the application of an education
*Through the application of an education we find new inspirations and allow ourselves inspire others
*Trust is the foundation on which education is built
-For this reason we need to be able to apply an education to real life situations in order to reach our full potential
*It is a teacher's responsibility to develop trust between them and their student in order to be a successful teacher
26. On educating children
*Studying history is a better way to educate yourself than reading any book
*Reading is too subjective so they are reliable sources to build an education upon
*The greatest difficulty of human science is the education of children
-It's hard to judge what they are thinking because their natural inclinations are so different from those of adults
*We need to teach children a wide variety of opinions instead of focusing solely on facts to educate them
*Conversation should be encouraged because it allows children to build upon the opinions of others
-Socrates and Plato for example drew on the opinions of multiple people to redefine their own opinions and beliefs
*We should encourage students and children to consider how and why everything is done and judge and regulate their own lives
-It's not enough to be able to define something, you have to be able to express how it is of use and why it is the way it is
*The value of a true virtue depends on its application to daily life and teachers need to teach their students the importance of having these true virtues
27. That it is madness to judge the true and the false from our own capacities
*The power of persuasion comes from our own ignorance
*To condemn anything as impossible is arrogant and ignorant
- In this sense Montaigne says he once pitied the people who did not believe in The power of God's will but after stepping back and reevaluating his life he found himself just as pitied by others
*Just because our own reason cannot comprehend something seemingly supernatural doesn’t make it false or impossible
-Montaigne restates it as just because you can't see something doesn't make it impossible
*It is better to come off as self-assured and introverted then to openly over share your opinions of others and their actions
*He ends the essay with asking why don't we consider the conflictions in our own judgment and what hypocrisies we hold to be true
28. On affectionate relationships
*Aristotle believed that good politicians respected friendship more than justice
-Those who seek anything but happiness and friendship from friendship itself won't be able to make genuine relationships with others
- It is easier to identify a non-genuine friend than it is to identify a dishonest stranger
*The relationship between children an their parents is based on respect
- Friendship is built by a communication that is impossible between parents and children simply because children can't tell their parents everything they tell their friends
*The relationship between siblings isn't natural friendship
- Siblings pursuing the same interest often hinder each other
- Siblings in the same business weaken each other because the wealth and property they accumulate has to be shared
*Relationships between siblings or parents and children are imposed on us be natural obligation and are not true friendships
*Love toward women can't be compared to friendship either even though unlike family relationships it's our own choice
- Love is "more active, more eager and sharper" than friendship and is also a lot more inconsistent and takes hard work and is more inclined to conflict
-Love is driven by sensual motives and therefore it is easy for it to become disproportionally desired while friendship is only improved by enjoying the other person and is always proportionally desired
-Marriage is compulsory and continuance is often forced
* Often continued because of things other than our own will (money, children, etc.)
*Marriage becomes too complicated and women do not have the communication skills necessary to support long lasting marriages
* If there was a way to make marriage less complicated and more like a friendship but "allows the bodies to give into sensual desires" it would be perfect "but women have not yet arrived at such perfection"
*People we commonly think as friends are only familiarities to serve some purpose
-In real friendship "the souls mix so universally" that one person is nothing without the other
-In ordinary friendships you have to be careful about what you say so as to not ruin the friendship
- In real friendships there are no ideas of obligations or benefits and opinions, thoughts and wills are shared
- In the friendships Montaigne speaks of each person gives themselves so entirely to a friend that they have nothing left to give others
- In relationships that hold a single purpose we have to worry about imperfections and so a genuine friendship like the one Montaigne refers to can never be established
29. Nine- and –twenty sonnets of Estienne de la Boetie
*Montaigne is writing to madam de Grammot
- Doesn’t believe he has anything worth value to offer her because she either already has it or he can't find anything worthy of her
- Hopes that his literature will do her name justice and present her name in an honorable way
- Says she is one of the few women in France that is a good judge of poetry and no one can make as good us of it as she can
- Hopes she finds the value in his work for years to come
29. On Moderation
*Sometimes we have the natural inclination to believe in something too much that it becomes corrupt and we embrace it too wholeheartedly
- This is where prejudices and racism stems from
*Philosophy is best taught to those who are able to control their own liberties and opinions
- This doesn't include women because women tend to over think and complicate natural laws and thoughts
- This is why people have a natural inclination to get married: husbands are supposed to be able balance the over complicated thoughts of their wives and continue to teach he next generation basic philosophical ideas
30. On cannibals
*Cannibals refer to Native American Indians
*Believes there is nothing there is nothing barbaric about North American Indians
-Believes people think they are barbaric because their culture and traditions are different from those in Europe
-They have a perfect religion and perfect legal system to serve their needs
*Believe the Indians are pure because they have not been corrupted by European laws and still believe in traditional Values
-They are brave and noble because they fight with minimal clothing and simple weapons
-They show the values of patriotism and nationalism within their own tribes
*Believes that Europeans are so busy judging Indians that they are blind to their own faults
That we are to Avoid Pleasures, Even at the Expense of Life
St. Hilary murdered his only daughter, Abra, because she was sought in marriage by the greatest nobleman of the country and was hypnotized by all the wealth and jewels promised to her
His wife agreed with his actions so much that he killed her as well and her death was “embraced with singular and mutual content.”
If he was so concerned about their growing appetite for such lavish articles, why did he not just move his family to a village that was unable to produce and administer them?
That Fortune is Oftentimes Observed to Act by the Rules of Reason
The Duke of Valentinois attempted to poison Adrian, Cardinal of Corneto, with a bottle of wine that was given to the butler to keep safe. He was confident that they had not meddled with the poisoned wine so he took a cup too, but it was indeed and he passed shortly after
One man had an imposthume in his breast and wanted to rid himself of the pain by dying, so he entered into battle and was wounded so thoroughly that the imposthume was broken and he was cured
A painted was once so frustrated with his work that he threw a sponge at it, hoping to destroy and deface it, but ultimately made the painting better and it became his signature style
The chapter concludes with a father and son striking equally mortal wounds upon one another, yet still containing enough strength to behead one another “leaving the bodies still fast linked together in this noble bond,...”
The author personifies fortune and describes it as being almost human-like in its presence and the way that it affects others and this book even states that fortune has more judgment than we; this chapter is basically describing both good and bad karma
Of one Defect in our Government
contemptible: despicable - polity: a state or other organized community or body
His father told him of a plan to have a place in every city that specified in repairs and was entered by an officer appointed for that purpose
He states that the world in not generally corrupted, do you agree?
He says that his father employed a man to essentially keep a journal for him and that he wished he did not neglect this idea of imitating his father, but do you think that these essays have anything to do with that?
Of the Custom of Wearing Clothes
He states that we were sufficiently clothed and covered to defend ourselves from the injuries of weather, like animals and plants, but that our artificial fashions have destroyed them
He declares that if we needed to wear “petticoats and breeches” to survive, then nature would have provided us with thicker skin (like the soles of our feet)
Plato advised for the health of the whole body not to wear anything on your head and feet
Used Alexander from Greece as being sensible and the King of Mexico as being superfluous as he changed his clothes four times a day and never used the same dishes twice, essentially using them as foils for one another
Of Cato the Younger
continence: self-restraint or abstinence -inimitable: surpassing imitation
States that the age in which we live has grown so stupid and that the very imagination of virtue is defective and appears only to be college jargon
Plutarch complains that Cato died because of his fear of Caesar and that Cato was in truth a pattern that nature chose out to show to what height human virtue and constancy could arrive
States that “we have far more poets than judges and interpreters of poetry; it is easier to write it than to understand it.” Why do you think this is?
That we Laugh and Cry for the Same Thing
States that children and their innocence laugh and cry at the same thing, why do you think the majority of adults have lost nature?
Uses a simile to compare how the sun darts new rays so thick upon another that we can't perceive the intermission to how the soul darts out its passions imperceptibly
countenance: appearance, especially the look or expression of the face
Of Solitude
pretermit: to leave undone; neglect; omit -palliate: to alleviate, mitigate
States that we should either imitate the vicious or hate them and that both are dangerous things because there are many when you resemble or to hate them because they are unresembling to ourselves. Do you think he would allow another attitude to be considered toward the vicious?
Declares that it is not enough to move to a remote region away from the public, but one must sequester and come again to himself to remove himself from the conditions that have taken possession of his soul.
Says that “Our disease lies in the mind, which cannot escape from itself; and therefore is to be called home and confined within itself: that is true solitude,...” What disease do you think he is referring to and how do is relate to “true solitude”?
Why do you think that he states “Virtue is satisfied with herself, without discipline, without words, without effects.”? What is he truly trying to explicate?
Why is it that our own death does not sufficiently terrify us, rather the death of our family and friends if we are naturally selfish?
That the Relish of Good & Evil Depends in a Great Measure Upon the Opinion we Have of Them
States men are tormented by their opinion of things rather than the things themselves
Why do we consider death, pain, and poverty our principal enemies? What exactly is it about them that makes us all fear them so much? Are there actually things worse than them?
In the kingdom of Narsinga, the wives of priests are buried alive with their husband's bodies, all other wives are burnt at their husband's funeral, which the joyfully undergo. When the king dies, his wives, concubines, officers, domestic servants, and anyone else who works for him are all burnt alive with him and see it as a singular honor to accompany their master in death.
peradventure: chance, doubt, uncertainty, or surmise -indigence: poverty
Plato believes that pain and pleasure knit and ally the soul together but Montaigne believes that they separate and disunite them
cicatrice: new tissue that forms over a wound and them contracts into a scar
aspers: former silver coins of Turkey and Egypt
The Turks give themselves great scars in honor of their mistresses, it is not explicated in the text and it makes one wonder why they feel such pride
Not to Communicate a Man's Honour
States that honor is so deeply rooted in all of us that he does not believe anyone was ever successful from discharging themselves from it
Also declares that even after you have come up with your best arguments you still have little power to resist it as it is not vanity but rather inscribed into our DNA
Personal honor and respect have a tendency to make the brain and heart go numb as it extricates morals, values, and feelings from the situation
cudgel: a short, thick stick used as a weapon; a club
Of the Inequality Amongst Us
- In giving your “estimate of people” you judge them on their clothing and other possessions, rather than their legs, feet, arms, etc. which are in fact of greater use and value to them
disparity: lack of similarity or equality -rabble: a disorderly crowd; a mob
Compares kings and their behavior in public as opposed to their behavior in their castles to that of the present day actors who portray them to who the actors really are outside of the theater
caprice: a sudden, unpredictable change -apoplexy: a hemorrhage into an organ cavity
“Tis fruition, and not possession, that renders us happy.” Why does attaining such a desirable object bear us more joy than actually owning the object?
States that the mind and body are in disorder when they serve the external conveniences
Montaigne believes that it is much more easy and pleasant to follow than it is to lead, which I believe to be true at times as well, but in contrast being a successful leader is much more rewarding and fulfilling than being an obedient follower, which are you?
He also says that it is great satisfaction having to only answer to yourself and one path to walk in, but do you think some people naturally desire to serve and help others, essentially be followers, or do you think that it is acquired over time? People say that some people are just natural leaders, do you agree with this or do you think they become a leader over time as well? Based on Montaigne's perspective, what would you categorize him to be?
Of Sumptuary Laws
beget: to procreate or generate - agog: highly excited by eagerness, curiosity, anticipation
Believes that it is contradicting how their laws attempt to regulate laws pertaining to vain and idle expenses in meat and clothes because they were contrived by royalty; the very people whose environment is fabricated in gold, which is why he thinks that they should be the first ones to end their fascination and necessity for the most lavish materials if it is expect to disseminate among the common people
He praises Zeleucus for his laws that diverted the Locrians from superfluities and pernicious pleasures in order to attract men by honor and ambition to their duty and obedience. How do you think the modern public would react if such strict laws were enacted? Do you think they would be more accepting if their moral reason was explicated to them?
Of Sleep
“Reason directs that we should always go the way, but not always at the same pace.” Can you think of any instances where this may and may not apply?
He tells stories of princes and kings who fall asleep and the majority of them die during their rest or finally wake up and then have their lives taken from them. He concludes the chapter by saying that physicians do not know whether sleep is so necessary that our lives depend on it because one man was killed by preventing him from falling asleep and other men have accounted for not sleeping for months. What point do you think he was trying to get across with this chapter?
Of Names
There is an old saying that it is a good thing to have a good name, but besides this, it is really convenient to have a well-sounding name, such as is easy of pronunciation and easy to be remembered. Socrates also wrote that it was worthy of a father's time to give fine names to his children. Do you think Socrates meant for them to give their children well-sounding names or good names in general? What is the distinction between the two?
Debauched: corrupted; debased -perforce: of necessity; by force of circumstance
“... I am very pleased with Jacques Amyot for leaving, throughout a whole French oration, the Latin names entire, without varying and garbling them to give them a French cadence.” Why do you think Montaigne awarded him such praise?
Of War-Horses, or Destriers
rote: a fixed, habitual routine -rout: any overwhelming defeat
Believes that a sword is a more promising weapon in battle than a gun because with a gun, one must account for the powder, the stone, the wheel, etc. just to get one shot off whereas the sword is about to produce the more effective outcome because “A man himself strikes much surer than the air can direct his blow.” Do you think Montaigne would hold the same thought even with modern weaponry?
This chapter is about how trained war-horses can help in battle if they can distinguish the enemy and learn to fall straight down rather than on their back to save their master and basically how important they are when it comes to serving those who ride their backs, but Montaigne discusses how their horses of service are called destriers and their romances commonly use the phrase of adestrer for accompagner (to accompany) in the inception of this particular chapter, why is he drawing this the comparison between war-horses and lovers?
Of Ancient Customs
This whole chapter was basically about how everyone makes fun of the way that their ancestors used to live and the bizarre customs they used to take part in because things appear to be so “different” now even though the same thing will be said by their descendants in the future
Although Montaigne understands where they are coming from, he criticizes them for altering their actions and opinions of their ancestors based on the authority of their present age and their “singular indiscretion” instead of forming their own judgments. Do you think this chapter can relate to modern day? Who would be the authority of our present age virtually controlling the way we think and view what is desirable perfection?
Of the Vanity of Words
tumultuous: raising a great clatter and commotion; highly agitated, as the mind or emotions
Aristo defined rhetoric as “a science to persuade the people” whereas Plato and Socratoes described it as “an art to flatter and deceive.” Who do you think Montaigne would have agreed with? What are some popular examples of rhetoric today?
Of a Saying of Caesar
infirm: not firm, solid, or strong -sprightly: animated, vivacious, lively
This chapter was about our never-ending thirst for for new things and how once we attain something we wished for, we immediately want something new. Why is it that we always want something that we can't or don't have? Why do we long for material objects rather than enjoy the people and relationships that truly matter to us? It really makes you wonder why it appears that everyone wants something different, and yet we all want the same thing.
Of Vain Subtleties
subtlety: delicacy or nicety of character or meaning -
States that “Stupidity and wisdom meet in the same centre of sentiment and resolution, in the suffering of human accidents.” What does he mean by they “meet” and why do they “meet” in the suffering of human accidents? What does he mean
Ch.56, Pg.355: On Prayer (Book 1)
Summery: “In short, this particular chapter focuses on Montaigne’s strong religious beliefs and costumes. He believes that people often follow religion blindly and just go through the motions without the intent of actually understanding the Lord’s prayers. He thinks most people who try to follow God are often corrupt and have evil within them making them unable to actually live by God’s message.”
Details:
-In the opening sentence, Montaigne compares Universities to his notions that he puts forward. He describes it as “…Advising questions for debate…Seeking the truth not laying it down.”
-Montaigne embodies his life around the ideas of the Catholic church. His views are philosophical rather than theological. He submits himself to the lord, and by doing so, submits his judgement, writings, and very own thoughts. From this, we see how his life as well as his mind are surrendered to the Catholic ways, unable to express anything against their teachings.
-He states that prayers should be less casual and deserve the recognition of being God’s own words. Prayers should be done rigorously, not just in times of special occasion.
-“I was wondering recently how the error arose…to have recourse to God in all our doings…calling upon him in every kind of need…without considering if the occasion is just or unjust.” This quote struck importance in the sense that it’s the first sign of Montaigne questioning any type of religious doings. He questions Catholic followers as to why they need or don't need to pray in the first place due to the severity of their situation. He describes God’s work as “justice” and “powerful”. God grants favors according to “criteria,” not “petition.”
-Montaigne also states that God’s power and justice are inseparable. if we expect him to lash his power it grants us no benefit unless our “souls are pure.” In other words, in order to gain God’s powers, one must life a pure and good life. (To follow the religious teachings.)
-Believes that people who pray over and over again out of habit and custom, are the real evildoers. People continuously praying the to the lord while filled with hatred, covetousness, and injustice are the ones in the wrong of the lords message. Those who demand from God that lack the true qualities of a follower of christ, will only fall again-at once.
-States religion is no longer promised “mysteries” but now serve as “amusements.” Religious stories should evoke emotion; Feared, adored, knowledge, etc. (Not just told.) There should be a spiritual connection of some sort. Montaigne believes a reproduction of these religious stories (similar to that of the bible) should never be translated/scripted into different languages because it is “forbidden.”
-He believes that saying Gods name as an exclamation or an interjection is wrong because it makes society softened to the real meaning and the severity of the Lords name. He quotes one of the most famous prayer lines: “Forgive us. As we forgive those who trespass against us.” He connects this to the idea that people pray to him forgiveness after committing wrong doings, and yet we expect him to secretly allow us to slide by and be forgiven: This being a sin in itself. We are “inviting God to be unjust.”
-The constant analogies, allusions to well known religious stories, and his intense opinions/thoughts created this unraveling paradox of constant debate.This also becomes a main idea throughout his work. His Catholicism is embedded into him like DNA as it influences his life, mind, and his writings.
Ch.57, Pg.366: On The Length Of Life(Book 1)
Summary: “This chapter is the closing to book 1 of Montaigne’s essays. He questions the meaning of life, and how to measure accomplishments along the way. Also, he explores the fear of death we all universally share. He believes we should live fearlessly and have faith in what will be, and that growing old is an adventure we must all undergo to fully understand the value of a life. Lastly, he explains the balance of work and play in a lifetime. We must take advantage of the days we are given and make them worth living. And in the end, pass down all that we learn for younger generations to grow.”
-“I can not accept the way we determine the span of our lives.” Montaigne explores the delicate balance between life and death, and how we define a fulfilled life. What makes one’s life worth living? And how to we measure whether or not our lives are satisfied?
-Montaigne flawlessly depicts death of old age as the most desirable way to go. He believes that if one is able to outlive the events and adventure within life, reaching old age is a sign of fulfillment. Old age allows us to be able to grow wise, and look back at the life we lived. It is viewed positively, for it is proof of growth and embodies the real meaning of life: to live happily.
-Believed life should never be a race. All are viewed as powerful, unique, and self driven individuals. One is never too young to make a difference in the world, but one should also be wise enough to know how to. Life should never be a battle of surpassing the people next to you, but rather to surpass your own limitations and to become a better person within yourself as days pass.
-“Sometimes it’s the body which is the first to surrender to old age, sometimes too the soul…” We are in charge of our own lives, our futures, our dreams, our success. We do not realize how much power we have in our own life, happiness, and fulfillment until it is too late and we have grown old.
-We often get lost along the trail of life as we get caught up in work and materialistic things, that we lose sight of what really matters. The phrase “leisure” that Montaigne repeats, more closely means “adventure.” Not so much time relaxing, but instead living. We focus so much on the work side of life, we forget to have enjoyment in the events we part take in. Theres a balance of work and play. as we grow old, we begin its too late to take advantage of the time we had.
-“…We should not allow such a large place to be born, to leisure and to our apprenticeship.” The word “apprenticeship” in this form does not mean the basic definition, but rather a better idea being to “teach”. As we grow old, we must give our wisdom to the youth to teach them, to grow, and allow them to become greater learning from mistakes they have already seen. Thats the key to life, to learn, and be able to pass your teachings down from generation to generation.
Ch.1, Pg.373: On The Inconstancy Of Our Actions (Book 2)
Summary: “Montaigne opens book two with insight into human tendencies, flaws, and actions. He explains how people are too quick on their judgement; How one mistake can define a person, even what their good out weighs the bad. Also, he explains how we all think so differently and diversely. Its near impossible for us to find large scale peace because not everyone in the world thinks the same, and are able to find the same solution and reason to common problems. In life its difficult to come together because each person is so complex and unique in thought and action.”
-“Those who strive to account for a man’s deeds are never more bewildered than when they try to knit them into one whole, to show under one light”…Montaigne talks about the division among people. To this very day, society is often divided up and unable to agree on problems and solutions. He hopes the world will know peace one day, because the world is filled with injustices.
-“It seems reasonable enough to base our judgement of a man on the more usual features of his life…but natural inconstancy of our behavior…” Montaigne argues that it is unfair to judge someone by their past, actions, or opinions, because we all undoubtedly make mistakes. But we must learn from them. It is hard to force everyone to one belief and accept one answer to all of life’s greatest questions. But we must judge one another “piece by piece” rather than letting one bad move make us a bad person outweighing the good we have done.
-“ One courageous action must not be taken as proof that a man is brave, a man who is truly brave will always be brave on all occasions.” We define our character through our actions, and the cliche saying runs true: Actions speak louder than words.
-“We are entirely made up of bits and pieces, woven together, so diversely and so shapelessly that each one of them pulls its own way at every moment.” Meaning people are fighting a battle within themselves of good and bad actions, that when we combine ourselves with ours it creates a bigger picture of battles amongst us all.
Ch.2, Pg.381: On Drunkenness (Book 2)
Summary: “Consumption of alcohol should be controlled and treated like an award as we enter adulthood. Drinking should not be overlooked as it is a strong sin in Montaigne”s view because it destroys the mind and soul. In the process, drunkenness reveals our true character and darkest secrets that are buried inside all of us.”
-“Even though they are equally vices, thy are not equal vices.” In other words, wrongdoings are equal in the sense they are all literally wrongdoings, but they are not equal in their severity. It is not easy to define the rank and importance of each sin.
-Now drunkenness, “Other vices harm our intellect: this one over throws it.” Drunkenness is considered a more severe sin in Montaigne's eyes because he believes the worst state for a man is when he loses all consciousness and control of himself. It also causes a person to release their most intimate secrets. When one is completely intoxicated, the darker side of us is revealed.
-Montaigne applies an allusion through the story of Julius Caesar when he quotes, “Should I bear the weight of a tyrant, which i cannot bear the weight of my wine.”
-“If you base your pleasure on drinking good wine, you are bound to suffer sometimes from drinking bad.” The phrase “bad” used here means if you get drunk continuously it leads your mind into a world of depression, despair, and sin.
-“Wisdom is a controlled handling of our soul, carried out, on our soul’s responsibility, measure in proportion.” Drinking is an award over the years entering adulthood and should be treated as such. It teaches the body and mind its own limits, but still treated as a gift of small consumption. It should be enjoyed, never abused.
Ch. 3, Pg.392: A Custom of the Isle of Cea
Summary: “Montaigne shows that philosophy has it’s own way of favoring self-destruction and of opposing it with equally strong reasons.Theology classes suicide as a crime because it is defines as prime despair; where as hope is considered a theological virtue. Montaigne contradicts these views as he believes suicide can be provoked by anything-including hope. Montaigne is bold, and even said to be “Anti-Christian” due to his contradicting views. Even then, he uses the same arguments that that biblical text does, showing how it bares fault.”
-“I will show you what you have bought; it would be a shameful for me to be slave when freedom is at hand [jumps to his death].” This quote is from a story given in the text that depicts a man who was held captive and sold into slavery. Once given his slave job, he told his owner this before jumping to his death. The moral being that he would rather die in his freedom than to live in captivity. This being an analogy towards religious texts saying how we should be living our lives.
-“We are often brought to it by a burning hope - often, also, by a clam and certain propensity of our judgement.” Referring to how people can be blinded by religious text and unable to draw a connection, not with the bible, but with out own common sense and born judgement. At time we must open our eyes and surrender to what is in order to move forward, not just cling to a biblical verse.
Ch.4, Pg.408: Work can wait till Tomorrow(Book 2)
Summary: “Montagne has a lot of respect for Plutarch’s wisdom but that does not stop him drawing different moral conclusions. He tries to imitate and rival his views using his own examples. This chapter is all about Montaigne putting down his opponents view of the world and morality. Montaigne sees the world through a less religious lens, and that the working life can be postponed to part take in fun and adventure (unlike that of the teachings of the bible).”
-“But when all has been said, it is not easy in any human activity to lay down a rule so well grounded on reasoned argument that Fortune fails to maintain her rights over it.” Life should be filled with work indeed, but it should also be filled with some enjoyment in living, while maintaining a structural income.
Ch.5, Pg.411: On Conscience (Book 2)
Summary: “Conscience is the sense of our individual right and wrong of our own guilt, this idea fascinated Montaigne. It became a vital concern during the Wars of Religion with their cruelties, false accusations, and use of torture on prisoners. These moral basis arose the question of the use of torture and how it related to conscience. Whether this strengthen or weaken his power, or if he could with stand pain. His ideas are greatly influenced by St. Augustine and Juan Vives notes in his edition of the City of God.”
-“So wondrous is the power of conscience! It makes us betray, accuse and fight against ourselves.” Conscience is a gift, as well as a curse. It make us reevaluate situations from both good and bad angles. It also can fill our heads with guilt and doubt.
“A mind conscience of what we have done conceives within our breast either hope or fear, according to our deeds.” if one is to accuse wrongly of another, that is a weight we must bare over our heads for life. Montaigne explores this concept by relating it to a story where a women accuses a man of theft of food. Without any proof, they slit the mans stomach (killing him of course) to find the food he did in fact steal. But if she was lying or wrong, the man’s life would have been wrongly taken without cause or reason.
Ch.6, Pg.416: On Practice (Book 2)
Summary: “This chapter discusses a key event in Montaigne’s life: the brave but stupid act of one of his laborers who knocked him senseless from his horse in a minor encounter during the wars of religion. Reflecting on it lead him to lose the philosophical fear of dying. Philautia, essence of pride, knowing oneself, and essence of wisdom are also additions to this chapter. Socrates perceived philosophy as practicing dying (like separation of the soul from the body). Montaigne shifts more towards ‘practicing living’.
-Montaigne states, “My business, my art, is to live my life.” Here is he arguing the Socrates view of living after death, instead of living in your own present life.
-He closes the chapter with the line, “If any man knows himself to be thus, let him boldly reveal himself by his own mouth.” In other words, we should be our own voice and our actions and discipline should show the type of person we are. No one can tell you that your living your own life incorrectly.
Ch.7, Pg.428: On Rewards for Honor(Book 2)
Summary: “Montaigne was a knight, but awards became debased during the Wars of Religion. The Holy Ghost , instituted by Henry III of France, became a new ceremony for the knights. This lead him to the thought of inequality among men in this chapter.”
-“it is in truth, a good costume of recognizing the worth of rare and outstanding men…” Here Montaigne explains that reward and recognition is important for the few that have earned it. We can not over look the good that people do and the positive qualities they posses and apply towards the world around them.
-“It [reward] was never earned by a brave solder but by a famous leader…” There are also underlying injustices from reward. Some of the most deserving people are over looked for someone more “famous.” Montaigne shows this through a story of a war official receiving the honor rather than the soldier who actually fought on the battle field. This symbolizes inequality in our world.
Ch.8, Pg.432: On the Affection of fathers for their Children (Book 2)
Summary: “The most moving and revealing chapter: starts with an outburst of melancholy which upsets Montaigne’s complexation and led him to write his essays. talks about how fathers can become mentally frenzied/crazy enough to fall in love with their own children. he discussed strange behavior through acting out of depression. Its also revealed that all of Montaigne's daughters died in infancy (except one daughter). His anger is reminder of inheritance issues between his mother that subsequently affected his daughter.
-This chapter is all a story of past events invoking arguments between Montaigne and his mother over inheritance and other financial issues. He talks about how boys are able to take head of the family along with the family’s money.
-“Do we want to be loved by our children,” Montaigne questions. He describes how parents/guardians must “enriched their loved ones lives for the better. But never loving them in a way that is viewed inappropriate. We must wish the best for them, while in the process assist them in being successful.
-“It is unjust, and mad, to deprive our grown-up children of easy relations with their fathers by striving to maintain an austere and contemptuous frown, hoping by that to keep them in fear of obedience.” Montaigne begins to open up about his feelings as a father, and starts to show a little emotion in his writing. He believes as a parent, you are equally ad responsible for your children's well being even into adulthood. Never neglecting them or removing them from your life. You should maintain authority to keep them on the right path
“And for those raging vicious passions which have inflamed fathers with love for their daughters, or mothers for their sons, similar to another kind of parenthood: the tale of Pygmalion.” The tale depicts a sculptor who had fallen in love with his own work that he had carved. This creates an analogy towards parents who fall in love with their own children; a revolting misbehavior.
Ch.9, Pg.453: On the Armour of the Parthians (Book 2)
Summary: This chapter talks about Montaigne's armor he wore as a knight. And his lack of trust in. He discusses stories about past warriors who did or didn't wear armor, Also their success and failures. He relates them to his own battles as a knight and his diligent training he endured.
-“Although we do see a man killed occasionally for want of armor, we hardly find fewer who were killed because they were encumbered by it…” Montaigne explains how the armor was at times a burden, but was still beneficial. “Alexander, the most daring captain ever, rarely wore armor.” He uses him as an example as to why it is not a necessity.
-Brief description of a French knight’s armor: Flexible iron plating along the limbs,, horses also were armed, Metal was used to strike terror, the metal was incorporate and breathing.
Ch.10, Pg.455: On Books (Book 2)
Summary: “Montaigne shows himself as he went from studying himself, a man, individually, to progressing to studying Man in general, and how he should live. He also talks about his influence of other writers whose works are ‘useful and a delight’. The word useful meaning learning of moral lessons.”
-“Faults can often escape our vigilance. Knowledge and truth can lodge within us without judgement. Indeed recognizing our ignorance is one of the surest to our judgement that I can find.” Montaigne states this to show people that books can open us up to knowledge and truth in the world. But our judgment and ignorance can often cast a shadow over the truth. To learn how to open your mind up to new opinions, thoughts, and logic is one of the best qualities a person can have.
-“From books all I seek is to give myself pleasure by an honorable pastime: or if I do study, I seek only that branch of learning which deals with knowing myself and which teaches me how to live and die well.” Montaigne uses books to learn and grow. He sees them as very powerful and beneficial. Even when he reaches passages/words he isa unfamiliar with, he strives to understand and master their meanings. This concept is what “learning” is all about.
-Montaigne specifically finds Plutarch (since he has become a Frenchman) and Seneca as very useful authors. Plutarch-Moral Worksand Seneca-Epistles. He enjoys them because they are most relatable, and have the “truest opinions” to him. There teachings are “some of the cream to philosophy.”
Ch.11, Pg.472: On Cruelty (Book 2)
Summary: “In this chapter Montaigne suddenly realizes that some views of virtue are inadequate to explain the virtues of Socrates. Keep in mind, Montaigne is a follower of Socrate’s views and teachings. Montaigne doesn't view cruelty as a deadly sin. He sees cruelty as rising from sexual encounters/ecstasies.”
-“Virtue rejects ease as a companion, and that the gentle slope up which are guided the measured steps of a good natural disposition in not the path of real virtue. Virtue demands a rough and thorny road.” Virtue, meaning desirable quality in a person, will never one easy. One must encounter difficulties along the way to really gain anything. These difficulties are what teach us virtues. For example, having to wait in line for something can be an inconvenience, but t teaches us the virtue of patience.
-“Can it be possibly true that to be good in practice we must needs be so from inborn, all-pervading property hidden within us, without law, without reason, without example?” Montaigne asks this question to bring about the possibility that virtues, morals, etc. cannot be taught, but rather we are selectively born with them. Of course with time, there is always hope acquire these virtues through teachings and life events. These must be considered in the mater of cruelty as subsequent to death penalties, torture, etc.
-“We owe justice to men, and gentleness and kindness to the creatures. Between them and us [humans and animals], there is some sort of intercourse and degree of mutual obligation.” Montaigne discusses cruelty of all different situations. Including animals like stated in this quote. He believes that animals are living and breathing, and feel emotion and pain like us. We must treat them equally and with respect. He argues that cruelty is a wrong doing that can stretch even to animal cruelty.
MISSING
End of chapter 12
A body cannot reach bigger physical heights or stretches without being called to do so by God
Chapter 13 On Judging Someone Else's Death
Dying is most noteworthy thing in mans life, though it's hard for man to believe his last hour has come.
The higher we believe our importance is, the more we believe we cannot die. So rare and perfect, the world would be unable to function without us there.
Emperors would prolong prisoners death through torture.
Suicides are planned but not always followed through by the person so it must be finished by someone else.
It is strange to have no fear of death and want to taste it
Chapter 14 How Our Mind Tangles Itself Up
If we had to choose between food or drink, we would die of theist and hunger.
Chapter 15 That Difficulty Increases Desire
When it is difficult to do or get something it makes us prize things
Leap over what is fixed in your path, to chase whatever runs away
You are found more beautiful if their are difficulties and hazards to faced rather than those who are easy
What is allowed has no charm: what is not allowed, we burn to do
Defenses in home attract offenses. Where leaving door open protects it
Chapter 16 On Glory
Glory may be won but not always earned
Glory is not worth it if no one is looking
Glory is only worth it when someone can bring news back of your valor
Honor is found not in glory but in good deeds
Even if I did not follow the right road for its rightness, I would still follow it because I have found from that experience that, at the end of the day, it is usually the happiest one and the most useful.
We are more concerned that our named be known rather than what is being said about it
Those who dies in war are forgotten
Through speech and thought, good people are distinguished from bad
Chapter 17 On Presumption
Over high opinion of our own self worth
Greeting all with no regard to status has no meaning
Some get pleasure from there writing, others don't
When I read it over, I am ashamed to have written it, because even I who wrote it judge it worth erasing
Men are judged on height, and without it they are given woman tasks. Not his face nor hair could make him beautiful
Some men gamble all they have once they finally earn it
Say what you think, if you pretend and lie it is wicked
Sometimes we must tell someone our idea before it vanishes in our soul
When you give your self little worth and admirance, it is hard for others to say worse than you have already divulged
Many men consider themselves great, but it is those who value themselves the least who are never displeased with themselves
Chapter 18 On Giving The Lie
You can see so many people lying and insulting each other to the face, makes narrator proud to be honest person
Chapter 19 On Freedom Of Conscience
The Christian ruler did some good things of society like lowering taxes and honored his religion
The kings could not do what they wished so they pretended to wish to do what they could
II:37 On the resemblance of children to their fathers
- he recalls all that he's written up to this point (this was the ending
before book 3)
- colic= abdominal pain, paroxysm=sudden attack of disease; he has a
kidney stone
- prodigious= wonderful
- he thinks it's kind of crazy that sperm can pass on not only physical
traits but "ways of thinking and their slant of mind"- thinking of the
characteristics i have from other family members
- he wonders how he has a kidney stone like his father did- not modern
medicine or genetics yet
- "the art of medicine is built from examples and experience. So are my
opinions."< i thought this was written pretty well, an intro into medicine
- nothing can really be enjoyed without good health
- he talks about his ancestors refusing to use medicine and he doesn't
like it either; many examples of healthy people w/o using medicine/doctors
- medicine for every little thing isn't good; he compares it to sorcery
w/crazy ingredients
- he thinks doctors are concerned about their reputations and do more
harm than good; he wished that they'd specialize and be more informed on
one thing
- criticizes doctors' advice on healthy living, it's good to do this,
but it's bad bc..., there is always a counterargument for the advice
- salubrious= healthful, wholesome
- inimical= hostile/unfriendly; in opposition/adverse
- big change in tone- he says he has nothing against doctors, only
against their art
- he calls doctors and lets them see him (WTF?!) total change since he'd
been against them for the past 20 pages
- he understands that there are arguments made for medicine and he
doesn't not like that there are opposing opinions (he's ok with it)
- "In the whole world there has never been two identical opinions,
anymore than two identical hairs or seeds.Their most universal
characteristic is diversity."
- this chapter was full of his opinion, it ended book 2 and shows that this is his own work, he knows that his opinion is valuable because it is unique and genuine, the whole essays are his perception of what is. the last quote supports this.
Book III
1. On the useful and the honourable
Montaigne's definition of useful, "what is profitable to a man or to his country and every sort of public and private interest."
-- reference to the ancient Roman's aggression of seeking revenge against enemies as an example of "what was useful for what was honourable."
Nothing is useless; everything in Nature has a purpose and a place but it is sometimes diseased with malicious qualities (jealousy, vengeance, superstition...)
Refers to himself as a "weak" who cannot take on the roles of "vigorous and less timorous citizens" (soldiers) who sacrifice their lives for their country
Believes that authority should not abuse power but equitably use it for justice
-- On the Emperor's order, the Romans must punish a pretender but could not legally forgo their mission, therefore they committed their duty "usefully" but not "honourably."
When Montaigne gives the previous example as an act of usefulness but not honor, isn't he going against his own definition of "useful"?
Pretender: a person who claims or aspires to a title or position
Ignominy: public shame or disgrace
Lists examples of an inferior betraying it's authority and the consequences behind it --a slave runs away from his or her master is hung as an example for other insurgents
"The master flogs the pupil because he was willing to learn, and the guide flogs the blind man." The cruel reality of what we call justice.
"We wrongfully adduce the honour and beauty of an activity from it's usefulness..."
-- a soldier is 'honored' for killing his own brother during the Civil War fought against the same side and blood
-- Why is society corrupting the beauty of honor for it's materialistic reward?
2. On repenting
Montaigne states that "repenting consists not in regret but in denying the rightness of what one had formerly willed."
Only repent in the presence of God.
Symbolizes the world as a perennial see-saw with instability in it's realm
-- people change whether it be from a sudden epiphany or a sudden gain of different attributes or aspects from life
"... I rarely repent and that my conscience is happy with itself - not as the consciences of an angel... of a man"
-- ties in the religious element that all men are sinners in the eyes of the Lord; no man is perfect
Montaigne states that only you know yourself well enough to make a judgement on whether or not you are evil, no one else can because others can only surmise about you from your outside standards which does not reveal the true character
-- society can only judge the outer shell of a person
Alludes to Alexander the Great and Socrates, neither can replace the other, as one is a man of strength and the other of poetic expression.
Nature vs nurture, breaking away from parental supervision and finding one's own form of expression
A story about a peasant is told, his name Pincher. One day, he decides to become a thief to escape the poverty. He began growing vegetables on other men's land and in one night, would load all the produce on his back and sell it in the market. In his old age, he was a wealthy man as the money added up. He swore to compensate the victims he stole from but he does not repent on his actions as he would choose wealth over poverty any day.
-- Is repentance a form of action or a mental revival?
Condemning one's self and wishing to be reborn is not a form of repentance; repenting is being in harmony with one's self.
3. On three kinds of social intercourse
Loving friendship, loving relationships with women, and reading books
--all three engage the whole man, soul and body; synonymous to honor and decent
People should adapt to change to show more variety and flexibility like Cato who is the epitome of versatility.
Exceptional friendship is difficult to find and should be hungered for.
Montaigne expresses that discussion is the key to an intimate friendship whether it be one with depth or a casual conversation.
States that love can come in forms of pleasure or a relationship, doesn't find intimate pleasure as a bad thing but describes love as dangerous
-- shared intimacy with a prostitute and in result got syphilis
The presence of a book alone should be comforting, one does not necessarily have to read a book to understand the pleasures of it.
Introduces a flashback where Montaigne would spent time in his library as it oversaw his backyard, garden, and the majority of his house with a book in hand.
Humans have the power to choose a good book but often do not select the "right" one. In a deeper meaning, people often are tempted into the wrong path when they have the power to choose which road to take.
4. On diversion
Diversion: an instance of turning something aside from its course
Pain and grief cannot be easily cured but it can be diverted into a less agonizing scar; most people search for diversion to assuage their pain(s).
-- military diversions often used in history to lure the enemy from their lands, political diversion also common but does not wish to explain it (Why?)
Examples of different types of diversion:
--Personal gain: Atalanta was a woman of outstanding beauty with whom many men wished to wed. She proposed that any man who could beat her in a race could have her hand in marriage, but those who lost would be killed. Hippomenes, a possible suitor, prayed to the goddess of amorous passion who offered him beautiful golden apples. During his race against Atalanta, he dropped the diversion and she immediately stopped at it's beauty. He had won the race.
--Acceptance: Socrates was a man of wisdom who greeted death as an normal countenance. He had trained himself to accept the irrevocable death.
5. On some lines by Virgil
Historical background: concern over marriage and human sexuality during the Renaissance period
-- Montaigne is more open; he had scandalous affairs with "young unmarried men and married ladies."
Afraid to be weighed down by wisdom and therefore fears excess wisdom.
-- He then contradicts himself saying the deeper one's knowledge is, the better.
Expresses his sadness in growing old, but is young still young at heat, also more sentimental
Old age should not stop one from creative imagination
Malady: a disease of ailment
Believes in self-content
Poetry is a beautiful form of expression
Likes the idea of arranged marriage (take into consideration the time period and how important family lineage was)
Marriage is a fellowship which does not necessarily involve Cupid (love), it is more of an investment for a solid foundation for the future.
Recalcitrant: having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline
"Serve him like a master: watch him like a traitor." Refers to a woman who watches her husband.
Supportive of women rights as society's moral rules were created by just men in the first place
Women have been trained since they were young to marry: cooking, cleaning, primping, etc, while men wait find their partner through destiny.
Women of different cultures behave differently towards men (men lure women by any means)
-- Kingdom of Pegu, women wore nothing but a kirtle slit which basically revealed everything
-- Livia, women see a naked man as nothing but a statue
-- Sparta, women witness young men take everything off for their exercises
Women can be just as disnatured and damaging as men
Jealously corrupts the beauty of a relationship
Compares a wild animal to a woman, both possess avid and greedy nature
Enjoys to travel as he can put on a new persona and not have any pre-judgments on him
Mankind is cruel as we manipulate Nature to please our accommodations.
His passion for love drives him to live life.
Reciprocity very important in love life as women often times portray a relationship entirely in their heads.
Book III Essay 6. On coaches
· Links the ideas of luxury, generosity, and magnificence against cruelty, vulgarity, greed, and ostentation (flashiness).
· The concept of Coaches resembles symbols of status as in chariots or all wheeled vehicles. Are put in comparison to American Indian Cultures.
· Describes that authors must use originality, beauty, and have a sense of ingenious about their writing.
· Throughout the text the author inserts quotes from other philosophers or poets that support his points in his text.
· Origin of the sneeze in how people state Bless you due to the last shot of wind out of three, the first dirty, the second, gluttony and the third, blameless. Depicts that many customs are followed without great understanding and the human race must understand.
· “Must blend art with nature” within authors writing
· Authors need to write from experience not just for the sake of argument.
· Relates to Socrates to depict his quote, “... A great Captain, teaching us that nothing casts us into dangers so much as a rash hunger to get out of them.” Therefore implying that like Socrates and Laches retreat in battle, the human race is more afraid to stand up for themselves than to face the issue at hand. Therefore causing more danger or harm to the subject at hand.
· Personification of fear, nature, and courage. “Nature, having exposed me on one flank has covered me on the other, having stripped me of fortitude she has equipped me with an inability to feel and with blunted balanced powers of anticipation.”
· Uses references to Mark Antony, Heliogabalus, Theophrastus (On Riches) and Aristotle. To show the lack of confidence that people have within Monarchs and that speculation on all authority due to tales of kings personal interests on themselves rather than their people.
· “Moreover to their subjects who form the spectators of these festivities, it seems that it is their own wealth that is being flaunted and that they are being feasted at their own expense.” Resembles greed of the wealthy.
· “If you want a good crop, you must broadcast your seed not pour it from your sack.” In this it means you must not focus in one area in that you have to be well rounded.
· The author talks from subject to subject as if in a conversation with random inserts. Also called stream of consciousness.
· Goes into house and loan payments and the difference between taking and giving.
· Embraces the beauty of architecture of the French amphitheaters. Talks about the trap doors and wild attractions. Also show the elaborate decorations of wealth that are displayed by the king. Author states that the people feel in great events like they are being celebrated so the wealth is equalized.
· However, over the years author says that generations lack knowledge of other generations. In this I see that this does occur because when I look back to my own history I can’t recall the names of many of my ancestors who have long passed. Showing a lack of communication in all generations and “…a very false idea of everything.”
· Also suggests that memories don’t retain all the information given.
· Uses of metaphors. “It was still naked at the breast, living only by what its nursing Mother provided.” Referring to the Earth.
· Harquebuses- an early type of portable gun supported by a forked rest.
· Contrasts the European and Indian lifestyle in that some would rather self-inflict death than have another power take over the control of their country. Spoke of the Conquistadors and the Aztec people of South America, had historical back ground.
· Transitions into the fortune of death and religious beliefs that were to be forced onto the Indian people of South America.
· Enters into greed of the Spanish with the Killing of the King of Peru and the King of Mexico.
· In the end of the essay the author relates everything back to the beginning in that coaches resemble a chance to flee or to pursue.
Book III Essay 7. On high rank as a disadvantage
· “… there are defects in all things, no matter how beautiful or desirable they may be.” The topic of the essay was to show that in highly prominent people of every society there are flaws.
· The author states I am young, I have a lot to learn in that nature and others will have to teach me a lot before I have the slightest of knowledge.
· The author says he has never wished of a higher rank and says he appreciates his rank as it is. Although he states that everyone wants to fit in.
· With these statements he then says that he tends to contradict himself a lot within each essay. However, he has an open mind but never said he was smart because he doesn’t necessarily believe in it.
· “.. I do not measure my fortune by its height: I measure it by its pleasantness.” Meaning that wealth isn’t a matter of money but of happiness.
· Expresses his thoughts with examples of Cicero, Marcus Regulus, Lucius Thorius Balbus and Otanes.
· “There are few matters on which we can give an unbiased judgement because there are few in which we do not have a private interest some way or other.”
· Use of rhetorical questions. ‘What part can they play in a friendly skirmish if everyone in it is on their side?”
· “Further still, lechery has been in fashion and every kind of licentiousness, as also have disloyalty, blasphemy, cruelty, as well as heresy and superstition, irreligion and decadence, and even worse things if worse there be…” Showing the problems of the higher rank.
Book III Essay 8. On the art of conversation
· The essay gives the overall character of Montaigne on how he thinks about and talks to others.
· “We do not improve the man we hang: we improve others by him.” Showing that in punishment we show what you don’t want to happen so you don’t end in the same way. Lead by example of what not or what to do.
· Author says that the most important thing for the mind is conversation.
· “…Elder Cato was thinking of when he said that the wise have more to learn from the fools than the fools from the wise.” In this the author uses an outside source to support his idea that the smart learn more effectively.
· “What hits you affects you and wakes you up more than what pleases you.” The quote reflects on the fact that a loss teaches you more than a win in that you have to look back at what you did wrong in order to fix it because if you never see what you are doing wrong in a winning situation you will find out when it really matters.
· “Rivalry, competitiveness and glory will drive me and raise me above my own level.” Showing that healthy competition will make you a better person or better at a certain trade than opponents, increasing your level of status or ability.
· Again uses rhetorical questions
· Goes into the subject of judgment in how others are seen within conversation and how he perceives others. Talks about others as rude for passing judgment but he does the same, in stating that other people are “stupid” when they speak. Also he hates disordered conversation; however he doesn’t have order to his own essays and tends to go off on tangents.
· Gives advice on how it is sometimes better to remain silent instead of speaking because status is perceived from intelligence in conversation.
· Erudition- the quality of having or showing great knowledge
· “…What greater victory do you want than to teach your enemy that he cannot stand up to you?” Reflects on the idea that the author wants to teach his prominence to others when he speaks.
· Uses people as examples such as Plato, Timon, Democritus,
· Escutcheon- a small shield or emblem
· “A hundred times a day when we go mocking our neighbor we are really mocking ourselves.” Showing that we shouldn’t make fun of others in terms of conversation.
· Author says that you learn from experiences shown by nature.
· Minds are always thinking and emotions are always flowing so you can never be quite sure what the other is thinking.
· “My reason was not made for bending and bowing, my knees were.” Emphasizing that he isn’t going to make himself dumb for other people who are smarter than her is but he will respect people of higher status.
· Debonair- confident, stylish, and charming
· Uses analogies to try and make ideas simpler to the reader and clarifications.
· Talks about how people can make derogatory comments when they are joking that would otherwise be rude in serious situations.
· “No huckster wins every haggle.” In addition means that in order for comments to be taught in a joking situation you also have to take a few hits as the author points out.
· The author also writes about perspectives and says that certain people would be better at governing Rome than the modern ruler of the time. Talking about Pompey as the ruler and Tacitus. However later states he doesn’t trust Tacitus which completely contradicts his first statement.
· Grosso modo (in French)- means roughly in English
Book III Essay 9. On vanity
· Talks about authors and people who only go in circles with their writings like Pythagoras. States, “So many words about nothing but words!” The statement is sort of ironic because this book is enormous.
· “When my condition is bad I cling violently to my illness: I abandon myself to despair and let myself go towards catastrophe, casting as they say the haft after the axe-head; stubbornly, I want to get worse and think myself no longer worth curing.” In this the author means that in times of illness you crave affection from others and are self-concerned and when others are you aren’t as likely to feel as much as if it were yourself.
· The author finds himself more prayerful in good fortune rather than bad. He speaks a lot of fortune throughout the essay.
· Talks about religion in how many believe a king is who brings good weather to the people when it is an act of God.
· Awry- away from the appropriate, planned, or expected course.
· “His foolishness would not justify my wishing him more.” The author states this because he doesn’t think he needs to help fools because if you give fools more wealth they will just lose it again. Also has another example of this in that a man gave a banker money to give to his sons if they turned out to be fools. However the idea doesn’t make sense because the fools will again lose the money. The point showing that some people can’t be given things because they won’t learn.
· The author then transitions into problems in saying you can’t let water keep dripping into a rock because one of these days it will cause a crack, which means that if you let the small problems keep going by, one of these days it will turn into a huge problem.
· There is always going to be someone better than you at something so when someone is asked whose wine is better it is typically going to be the others in reality because sometimes you aren’t better than.
· Author states that you can’t have knowledge without logic and it would be ridiculous if you only had one.
· Refers to Plato, Socrates, Pythagoras, Pacuvius Calavius, and Ceaser.
· Says that he trusts the young more because they are less corrupt by bad example and they are more open minded.
· Puerile- childish, silly and trivial
· “Many by their fear of being cheated have taught others to cheat; others have found justification for wrong-doing in suspicion thrown upon them.” Showing that by example people find that cheating and lying is a good way to get out of situations that they knew were wrong but did it anyway.
· “Slavery is the obedience of a weak and despondent mind lacking in will.” I strongly disagree in this particular subject because many people have the will and strength to puch to be free however they can’t escape, that is not of weak mind because they never stop trying.
· Author uses similes. “Once I am away my soul can easily find detachment; when I am there she frets like a wine-grower’s.”
· Talks about how he doesn’t like when people talk poorly to their servants or about their servants while the host has company. He would rather it be done in private, therefore showing his inability to accept lower classes and his inability to say what is right in that they shouldn’t be treated poorly at all.
· Says that everyone tries to mold and fit into the common opinion, including himself, even though he claims he doesn’t, but his writing contradicts himself.
· Nations can be well sustained under strong customs, but when traveling it is important to have an open mind and learn about other customs of other nations in which they live by.
· Many people don’t want to change within a society, they want to over throw what they don’t like which is proven in many examples of every revolution that has occurred throughout history.
· Oligarchy- a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution
· If we all fall together then nobody really falls, meaning that if everyone lowers a class or losses a class then it doesn’t really change the status of the nation.
· Author goes into memory and states that you can’t rely on your memory because it won’t work for you in situations. Gives an example of Lyncestes who was accused of conspiring against Alexander, in which Lyncestes prepares a speech but when it comes time to preform it he loses the words and his silence looks as if he were guilty, so he is killed due to his brain.
· On a side note the author talks about how he feels that he should never go back and fix punctuation or grammar because he thinks that he should finish his thought even if it doesn’t make sense. Also he feels that by revising the essays he would change pieces too much that audience members would have to buy a whole new book.
· Then goes back into the essay talking about trust, in that you should never be obligated to give more trust than is received.
· Says when someone is told to do a duty they should want to the duty or else the duty will be done “slakingly.”
· Personifies fortune. “My fortune has not allowed me to give much to others, and the little she has allowed me has been lodged with the very poor. “
· Says that his most cherished characteristics are idleness and frankness.
· Simile. “I take to rain and mud like a duck.”
· Says he needs a wife to be a housekeeper that is the most important thing when he is away traveling. Alternates between home and travel.
· “Adapting myself to common prejudice.” Shows that he wants to be “common” or “normal” in the eyes of others.
· We are the only ones who give the power for others to judge us.
· “ Our life is governed by Fortune not philosophy.” Showing that what happens is meant to be.
· “…all wisdom is vanity.” Reflecting on why the chapter is called what it is even though the titles don’t resemble what each essay is about.
· We are in rules with our own morals not Gods. Author says that he will do as he pleases.
· Many people take things for granted and aren’t responsible for their deeds.
· Goes into poetry and again states, “I change subject violently and chaotically. My pen and my mind both go a-roaming.”
· Says that actual sites or ruins of past wondrous places are more often seen rather than old texts that should hold more value.
· At the end of the essay the author talks about his citizenship, “Authentic Bull of Roman Citizenship,” and talks about a few of the versions till the completion of the essay.
Book III Essay 10: On Restraining You’re Will
Will- the mental faculty by which one deliberately chooses or decides upon a course of action.
Restrain- to exhibit from doing, exhibiting, or expressing something.
- For someone to restrain their own will means for that person to make a choice and to stop taking action on a certain subject or matter that may naturally occur for them to do without really thinking about it.
“I exercise great care to extend by reason and reflection this privileged lack of emotion, which is by nature well advanced in me”
- He is saying in order for him to restrain from what human nature usually intends him to move towards, he exercises this emotion by reason and reflection in order to control this way of life.
“The only reasons why they seek occupations are to be occupied.”
- He says this to prove a point that the only reason people either choose to start an argument or get pulled into a specific course of action is to stay busy. It may not always be a person wanting to constantly be doing something but instead that person is just unable to stay still, so they choose to start a fight, or take action, or revolt because it is their will to do so.
“He who does not live a little for others hardly lives at all for himself.”
- He explains that a man who doesn’t know his true duties and doesn’t practice them doesn’t live for himself and therefore will never truly be happy without a loving friendship not only between other people but more importantly himself.
“A man who reacts with greater moderation towards winning or losing is always ‘at home’: the less he goads himself on and the less passionate he is about the game, the mot surely and successfully he plays it.”
- I disagree with this statement because the more passionate a person is about something the more likely they are to achieve it and win. He is trying to say that the better a person handles winning or losing in a situation, the game will be successfully played no matter what. If we really want something bad enough losing it won’t be an option we would find a way to successfully play out whatever situation we are put in. Even if we do by some chance lose it we would come to terms knowing that we tried all we can to ensure we wouldn’t. Knowing there wasn’t anything we could do, and then be able to move on from it.
“If you do not stop the start, you will never stop the race.”
- Here he is talking about a person’s emotions, that if a person cannot stop their emotions they won’t ever be able to chase them out. Once emotions have taken over it indulges the body into being shaken and vulnerable to weaknesses that can venture on deep within oneself and will never be able to be controlled.
Overall in this essay he talks about human nature and the evils that come along with it and how he restrains from his own will in a calm and sensible way that human nature doesn’t naturally allow us to do. In explaining his beliefs he references the Bible, philosophers, and writers.
Book III Essay 11: On the Lame
Lame- disabled so that movement, especially walking, is difficult or impossible.
“I was recently letting my mind range wildly (as I often do) over our human reason and what a rambling and roving instrument it is”
- He states here that he lets his mind wander all the time which deduces stream of consciousness. Then he goes into how people point out facts without reasons behind them for being true.
“By man’s tendency to work hard at feeding rumors.”
- He goes onto explain that it is human nature for even facts to be questioned because not everybody who relays information onto another person knows where the truth or story first took place. People keep on relaying the information they heard onto other people because it is natural to feed into these so called facts that along the way could have exaggerated a little bit to make what has been told more interesting. We as humans have a natural tendency to twist the truth to make it more appealing.
“Men place more trust in whatever they do not understand.”
- He elaborates on the local witches and how so many people believe that they are real because it is easier for them to believe things that are unknown to them and that more of the majority believes than the minority. While he believes in God and doesn’t believe in these false pretenses. People are afraid to stand alone in something so they rather ride the bandwagon and become involved with a belief that is more interesting.
“The lame man does it best.”
- Was a saying applied to both male and females and lame references crippled body parts that didn’t function properly. He states that he got the most pleasure from a deformed woman but was very charming. It is famous ancient saying that applied to Venus.
In this essay he explains how it is a natural tendency for humans to not know the truth but make inferences about what they believe to be true. The truth can be turned into many opinions based and how the truth extended is from its staring point. People tend to stick with what they believe to be true rather than forming or staying true to their own thoughts.
Book III Essay 12: On Physiognomy
Physiognomy- the art of judging human character from facial features.
“In learning as in everything else, we suffer from lack of temperance.”
- He explains that when it comes to wealth, pleasure, and power we as humans are greedy and don’t know how to control our want for such desires. The same goes for knowledge we get too consumed in attaining these desires, that instead of gaining wealth, power, or pleasure these wants that we all are fighting for will burden us and destroy us rather than help and nourish us.
- “According to Plato, the ultimate species of injustice is when what is unjust is held to be just.”
- According to him, he believes that there is nothing more unjust than when something wicked becomes lawful. Bad situations are bad for a reason and they don’t change unless justice takes place. In scenarios where cruel events take place and they are trying to be proved to be just is when the worst case scenario becomes unimaginable. Injustice is just that, it is wrong for a reason and in no way shape or form should it be proven to be right.
“True freedom is to have power over oneself to do anything with oneself.”
- He says this to show that a man can never truly be free of restraints and obstacles unless they our within their own boundaries under their own terms. A man who has control over himself is free to choose his own way of life and make his own decisions without worrying about what other people think or how they feel. Nobody can make you happy unless a person is happy with themselves first. The power of freedom over oneself can be harder to attain but is not unlikely to have, a person just has to be willing to fight for it.
“The possibility of suffering makes one as sad as actual suffering.”
- Here he states this because he is in a period of war and illness and with people awaiting death all around him. People who think about suffering feel the grief of actual suffering, because knowing something is going to happen can be a blessing or a curse. In this case it’s a curse because preparing to die is as excruciating as actual pain. The thought of knowing something’s going to happen makes that person become tormented by when it’s going to take place. The feeling of not knowing when a person’s time to feel pain is coming is already torture in itself. Anticipating the future of death is as bad as actual suffering because everybody’s afraid of the unknown.
“It matters much to souls in what sort of body they are lodged: for many of the body’s qualities serve to sharpen the mind and many others make it obtuse.”
- He goes on to talk about physical appearances and how ugliness and deformity can have an effect on a person and on what other people think of them. In the case of Socrates who was an ugly man, he had the most beautiful mind and soul. The saying might not mean a person has to be beautiful to have a beautiful soul it could mean in Socrates case, that maybe he was made ugly in order to show people how the beauty in his words made him appear not only beautiful on the inside but a more appealing person on the outside. Being beautiful can have two different meanings but by a person being beautiful on the outside doesn’t make them beautiful on the inside, because true beauty comes from within.
Here in this essay he goes on to talk about some human nature qualities and how we as people tend to have greedy desires which causes us to not be free from ourselves. He skips around to a lot of different subjects to suffering to referencing God, Plato, and Socrates, and explaining occurrences he had with people. In some places he was talking in second person and he would always compare Socrates morals to his beliefs. This essay had a lot of jumping around but its main purpose was to prove that beauty on the outside may have some influence on other people but if a person had true beauty within themselves then they will be seen as beautiful to all who listen to them.
Book 3: Essay 13 (pgs 1206-1269)
· Desire for knowledge is most natural
· Use experience when reason fails
· Have to recognize differences and variety which comes with experience
o Allude to story of Delphi and picking which egg went to which hen (important)
o Allude to Perrozet and ability to decipher cards
· Being similar doesn’t make people “one” as much as being different make people “other” (nature favors)
· No relationship between actions and fixed unchanging laws
· Uses rhetorical questions
· Our laws are too entangled and complicated
o Favors simplicity and nature
o Lawyers are example of bad laws (spread us thin and increase doubts)
· How do we change our ways?
· Man is ironic because gets caught in own works/mess
o Reference to Aesop and of licking path in river and drowns
· Create pictures with descriptions to help reader understand
o Concept of highest achieving man having climbed one more step than predecessor. Should he be praised?
· Laws turn us against each other and we fear what it can make of us. Stripped of humanity
o Run from someone who is stabbed for fear of questioning
o Ironic: sentences more criminal than actual crime
· Growth and continual learning is key to mind and powers
· French laws vague and people disobey because no order or clarity. What if absolutely no law, what happens then?
· Have to learn abut yourself before you can learn about something else: endless wisdom and experience, shows how much left to still learn
· Trust Socrates because same philosophy as Montaigne and wise
o Be blunt and take criticism with grain of salt which will release love
o Example of experience in medical profession; only trust dr who have has illness they are trying to cure
o If know yourself then don’t need a doctor because know what hurts you and helps you: experience
· Pleasure is acceptable but wrong to get pulled from habits in which medicine and illness do
· Life is suffering so learn to deal with it(everyone suffers not only one person)
o Reference God, Plato, Aescolapius
· Montaigne has big ego, why does he rebel against authority? (possibly believe in “trust no one and find out for yourself)
o Yet he is religious and goes to church and follows the doctrine?
· Describes in great detail the experience of painful illness (possibly kidney stones?)
o Tries to hide pain of his illness
o Dislikes medicine and doctors from bad care?
· References death and soul has “she”, does this represent view of women?
o Continually references nature as “she” so death and soul coincide?
o Reference Dantes Inferno and Styx River
o Death is inevitable, comes whenever, born to die
· Was a healthy and active man but illness has deteriorated him inside and out (aged)
· Fancied father because taught him values of the poor and as a boy Montaigne was picky and strange
o Example referenced to habits of Flaminius and Pyrrhus
o Montaigne learned to help others, no matter class
· Eats in excess and talks of diets so joins dinner parties later (change habits/routines) to refrain from over eating
o Emphasizes and repeats that he over eats yet is picky and still looks down upon excess?
· CONTINUAL THEME: Change and variation from experiences: appetite, law, medicine, child from parent, habits
· Values nature
o He has seen death and has new found respect whereas someone who hasn’t experienced death can’t appreciate life
· Keeps referring to drinking and justifying why he drinks but advocating for temperance?
· Told stories of Socrates and daring, brave, and restrained in values and why he is so respected (pg 1260-1261)
o Reflected how Montaigne tries to live life
· Utilizes oxymoron’s to convey point about pleasure and pain
· Write this to find peace in death?
· “Your only gain lies in the chase”- keep striving to be better, continual learning
· Montaigne emphasizes that he is his own person and wants to die knowing he did the right thing in life and in the after life won’t have to subject himself to another
· MAIN IDEAS: Independent person, his sickness, unjust laws, too persistent medicine, nature is beauty, and continual change and versatility comes from EXPERIENCE
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