Summary
Montaigne opens his essays with a fascinating paradox: sometimes complete opposites produce identical outcomes. He examines how both submission and defiance can equally move powerful people to mercy. Through vivid historical examples, he shows the Black Prince sparing a city not because of weeping civilians, but because three brave soldiers impressed him with their courage. He tells of women who cleverly interpreted mercy terms to save their families, and of prisoners who faced death with such dignity that their captors were moved to compassion. Yet he also shows the flip side—Alexander the Great, unmoved by the same bravery that impressed others, brutally torturing a defiant defender. The key insight isn't that one approach is better than another, but that human nature is wildly inconsistent. The same display of courage that earns respect from one person triggers rage in another. Montaigne suggests this unpredictability makes humans 'marvellous vain, fickle, and unstable'—impossible to judge with certainty. This isn't just philosophical musing; it's practical wisdom about reading people and situations. Sometimes showing vulnerability works; sometimes showing strength does. The art lies in recognizing which moment calls for which approach. Montaigne positions himself as someone naturally inclined toward mercy, but he acknowledges that even his own reactions might surprise him. This opening essay establishes his method: using concrete stories to explore the contradictions that make us human, helping readers navigate a world where the same action can produce completely opposite results depending on timing, context, and the mysterious workings of individual psychology.
Coming Up in Chapter 2
From the paradoxes of human response, Montaigne turns to examine sorrow itself—how we process grief, why some mourn publicly while others suffer in silence, and what our reactions to loss reveal about our deepest nature.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
THAT MEN BY VARIOUS WAYS ARRIVE AT THE SAME END. The most usual way of appeasing the indignation of such as we have any way offended, when we see them in possession of the power of revenge, and find that we absolutely lie at their mercy, is by submission, to move them to commiseration and pity; and yet bravery, constancy, and resolution, however quite contrary means, have sometimes served to produce the same effect.--[Florio’s version begins thus: “The most vsuall waie to appease those minds wee have offended, when revenge lies in their hands, and that we stand at their mercie, is by submission to move them to commiseration and pity: Nevertheless, courage, constancie, and resolution (means altogether opposite) have sometimes wrought the same effect.”--] [The spelling is Florio’s D.W.] Edward, Prince of Wales [Edward, the Black Prince. D.W.] (the same who so long governed our Guienne, a personage whose condition and fortune have in them a great deal of the most notable and most considerable parts of grandeur), having been highly incensed by the Limousins, and taking their city by assault, was not, either by the cries of the people, or the prayers and tears of the women and children, abandoned to slaughter and prostrate at his feet for mercy, to be stayed from prosecuting his revenge; till, penetrating further into the town, he at last took notice of three French gentlemen,--[These were Jean de Villemure, Hugh de la Roche, and Roger de Beaufort.--Froissart, i. c. 289. {The city was Limoges. D.W.}]--who with incredible bravery alone sustained the power of his victorious army. Then it was that consideration and respect unto so remarkable a valour first stopped the torrent of his fury, and that his clemency, beginning with these three cavaliers, was afterwards extended to all the remaining inhabitants of the city. Scanderbeg, Prince of Epirus, pursuing one of his soldiers with purpose to kill him, the soldier, having in vain tried by all the ways of humility and supplication to appease him, resolved, as his last refuge, to face about and await him sword in hand: which behaviour of his gave a sudden stop to his captain’s fury, who, for seeing him assume so notable a resolution, received him into grace; an example, however, that might suffer another interpretation with such as have not read of the prodigious force and valour of that prince. The Emperor Conrad III. having besieged Guelph, Duke of Bavaria,--[In 1140, in Weinsberg, Upper Bavaria.]--would not be prevailed upon, what mean and unmanly satisfactions soever were tendered to him, to condescend to milder conditions than that the ladies and gentlewomen only who were in the town with the duke might go out without violation of their honour, on foot, and with so much only as they could carry about them. Whereupon they, out of magnanimity of heart, presently contrived to carry out, upon their shoulders, their husbands and children, and the duke himself; a sight at which the emperor was so pleased, that, ravished...
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Contradictory Outcomes
Identical actions produce opposite results depending on the receiver's psychology, timing, and circumstances.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize that authority figures respond unpredictably to the same behavior based on their internal psychology and circumstances.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone responds differently than expected to your approach—instead of assuming you did something wrong, consider what internal factors might be driving their reaction.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Submission vs. Defiance Paradox
The counterintuitive idea that completely opposite behaviors can produce identical results. Montaigne shows how both begging for mercy and standing defiantly can equally move someone to spare your life.
Modern Usage:
We see this in workplace negotiations - sometimes apologizing works, sometimes standing firm gets the same result.
The Black Prince
Edward of Woodstock, son of England's King Edward III, known for military prowess and governing French territories. Montaigne uses him as an example of how the same person can react differently to the same situation.
Modern Usage:
Like any authority figure whose mood and circumstances affect how they respond to the same behavior from different people.
Siege Warfare
Medieval military tactic of surrounding and attacking a fortified city until it surrenders. The aftermath often involved deciding the fate of civilians and defenders.
Modern Usage:
Similar to any situation where someone has complete power over others and must decide how to use it.
Clemency
Mercy shown by someone in power, especially sparing punishment when they have every right to inflict it. Montaigne explores what triggers this response in different people.
Modern Usage:
Like a boss deciding not to fire someone, or a judge giving a lighter sentence than expected.
Human Inconsistency
Montaigne's central observation that people are 'marvellous vain, fickle, and unstable' - we can't predict how someone will react because humans are fundamentally contradictory.
Modern Usage:
Why the same joke makes your friend laugh one day and offend them the next - people aren't predictable machines.
Reading the Room
The skill of recognizing what approach will work in a given moment with a specific person. Montaigne suggests this is both crucial and nearly impossible to master.
Modern Usage:
Knowing when to push back with your supervisor versus when to stay quiet and comply.
Characters in This Chapter
Edward, Prince of Wales (The Black Prince)
Military commander with absolute power
Shows how the same person can be moved to mercy by courage but unmoved by tears and pleas. His inconsistent reactions prove Montaigne's point about human unpredictability.
Modern Equivalent:
The boss who respects employees who stand up to them but ignores those who grovel
The Three French Gentlemen
Brave defenders facing certain death
Their courage in the face of execution impresses the Black Prince enough that he spares the entire city. They represent the power of dignity under pressure.
Modern Equivalent:
The employee who calmly states their position during a firing instead of begging for their job
Alexander the Great
Historical example of opposite reaction
Unlike the Black Prince, Alexander is enraged rather than impressed by brave defiance, torturing a defender who won't submit. Shows how the same behavior triggers different responses.
Modern Equivalent:
The authority figure who sees confidence as insubordination rather than strength
The Limousin Citizens
Desperate civilians seeking mercy
Their tears, pleas, and prostration fail to move the Black Prince, demonstrating that submission doesn't always work despite being the 'usual way' to seek mercy.
Modern Equivalent:
People who apologize profusely but still face consequences because their approach backfired
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Men by various ways arrive at the same end"
Context: The opening line establishing his thesis about opposite approaches yielding identical results
This sets up the entire essay's exploration of human unpredictability. Montaigne isn't just making an abstract point - he's offering practical wisdom about navigating relationships and power dynamics.
In Today's Words:
There's more than one way to get what you want, and sometimes the opposite of what you'd expect actually works.
"The most usual way of appeasing those we have offended is by submission to move them to pity"
Context: Describing the conventional wisdom about how to handle someone who has power over you
He acknowledges what most people think works - groveling and apologizing - before showing how this 'usual way' often fails completely.
In Today's Words:
Most people think the best way to fix things when you've messed up is to apologize and beg for forgiveness.
"Man is a marvellous vain, fickle, and unstable subject"
Context: His conclusion after examining these contradictory human responses
This captures Montaigne's fundamental insight about human nature. We're not rational, predictable beings - we're emotional, contradictory, and influenced by countless factors we don't even recognize.
In Today's Words:
People are incredibly unpredictable, self-centered, and change their minds constantly.
Thematic Threads
Power
In This Chapter
Those in power respond unpredictably to the same stimuli—mercy or cruelty depend on internal factors beyond the petitioner's control
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
Your supervisor's reaction to your ideas might depend more on their morning coffee than your presentation quality.
Human Nature
In This Chapter
People are 'marvellous vain, fickle, and unstable'—fundamentally unpredictable in their responses
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
The same conversation approach that works with your spouse on Tuesday might backfire on Wednesday.
Strategy
In This Chapter
Success requires reading situations rather than following universal rules—flexibility over rigid approaches
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
Effective parenting, workplace success, and relationship navigation all require adapting your approach to the moment.
Identity
In This Chapter
Montaigne positions himself as naturally merciful while acknowledging his own potential inconsistency
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
Knowing your default tendencies helps, but staying aware of when you might surprise yourself matters more.
Judgment
In This Chapter
The impossibility of judging people or predicting outcomes with certainty—context is everything
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
That difficult coworker might just be having the worst year of their life, not be a fundamentally bad person.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Montaigne shows the Black Prince sparing a city because of three brave defenders, while Alexander brutally punished similar courage. What made the difference in how these leaders responded to defiance?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Montaigne call humans 'marvellous vain, fickle, and unstable'? What evidence does he give for this claim?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about your workplace, school, or family. Where have you seen identical approaches produce completely opposite results with different people?
application • medium - 4
When you need something from someone in authority, how do you decide whether to show confidence or humility? What clues do you look for?
application • deep - 5
Montaigne suggests we can't predict human responses with certainty. If that's true, how should we approach difficult conversations or requests?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Read the Room Strategy Map
Think of someone you need to approach about something important - a boss, family member, or authority figure. Create a strategy map with two columns: 'If they respond well to confidence' and 'If they respond well to humility.' Under each, list specific words, body language, and approaches you'd use. Then identify three early warning signs that would tell you which approach to take.
Consider:
- •What have you observed about how this person treats others who are direct versus deferential?
- •Are they currently under stress or pressure that might affect their response?
- •What's their relationship to their own authority - do they seem secure or defensive about it?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you completely misread someone's personality and your approach backfired. What clues did you miss? How would you handle the same situation now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 2: When Grief Goes Too Deep for Words
The coming pages reveal extreme emotions can leave us speechless and paralyzed, and teach us to recognize when grief has overwhelmed someone's capacity to respond. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.