Summary
Montaigne examines why being at the top isn't all it's cracked up to be, using examples from history and his own observations. He argues that true greatness comes with serious downsides: powerful people can never experience genuine competition, honest feedback, or authentic relationships because everyone either fears them or wants something from them. Think of how celebrities complain about never knowing who their real friends are—Montaigne saw this problem centuries ago. He points out that when you're the boss, nobody will challenge you to a fair fight, give you honest criticism, or tell you when you're wrong. Even their victories feel hollow because people let them win. Montaigne admits he'd rather be third-best in his hometown than first in Paris, because at least then his achievements would be real. He shares stories of ancient rulers who couldn't trust anyone's praise and philosophers who had to let emperors win arguments or face exile. The essay reveals how power creates a bubble that cuts people off from the very experiences that make life meaningful—struggle, growth, and genuine human connection. Montaigne's insight applies to anyone climbing the ladder today: sometimes the view from the middle offers more authentic satisfaction than the loneliness at the top. He suggests that choosing moderation over maximum ambition isn't settling—it's wisdom.
Coming Up in Chapter 102
Having explored the isolation of power, Montaigne turns to something more hopeful: the art of genuine conversation. He'll reveal what makes some discussions memorable while others fall flat, and why the best conversations happen when nobody's trying to win.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
F THE INCONVENIENCE OF GREATNESS Since we cannot attain unto it, let us revenge our selves by railing at it; and yet it is not absolutely railing against anything to proclaim its defects, because they are in all things to be found, how beautiful or how much to be coveted soever. Greatness has, in general, this manifest advantage, that it can lower itself when it pleases, and has, very near, the choice of both the one and the other condition; for a man does not fall from all heights; there are several from which one may descend without falling down. It does, indeed, appear to me that we value it at too high a rate, and also overvalue the resolution of those whom we have either seen or heard have contemned it, or displaced themselves of their own accord: its essence is not so evidently commodious that a man may not, with out a miracle, refuse it. I find it a very hard thing to undergo misfortunes, but to be content with a moderate measure of fortune, and to avoid greatness, I think a very easy matter. ‘Tis, methinks, a virtue to which I, who am no conjuror, could without any great endeavour arrive. What, then, is to be expected from them that would yet put into consideration the glory attending this refusal, wherein there may lurk worse ambition than even in the desire itself, and fruition of greatness? Forasmuch as ambition never comports itself better, according to itself, than when it proceeds by obscure and unfrequented ways. I incite my courage to patience, but I rein it as much as I can towards desire. I have as much to wish for as another, and allow my wishes as much liberty and indiscretion; but yet it never befell me to wish for either empire or royalty, or the eminency of those high and commanding fortunes: I do not aim that way; I love myself too well. When I think to grow greater, ‘tis but very moderately, and by a compelled and timorous advancement, such as is proper for me in resolution, in prudence, in health, in beauty, and even in riches too; but this supreme reputation, this mighty authority, oppress my imagination; and, quite contrary to that other,--[Julius Caesar.]--I should, peradventure, rather choose to be the second or third in Perigord than the first at Paris at least, without lying, rather the third at Paris than the first. I would neither dispute with a porter, a miserable unknown, nor make crowds open in adoration as I pass. I am trained up to a moderate condition, as well by my choice as fortune; and have made it appear, in the whole conduct of my life and enterprises, that I have rather avoided than otherwise the climbing above the degree of fortune wherein God has placed me by my birth; all natural constitution is equally just and easy. My soul is such a poltroon, that I measure not good fortune by the...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Hollow Victory - Why Success Can Become Your Prison
The higher your status climbs, the more artificial your relationships become, cutting you off from honest feedback and authentic growth.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to spot when authority is distorting your relationships and feedback loops.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when people start agreeing with you too easily—that's your signal that power might be creating artificial harmony.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Greatness
In Montaigne's usage, this means holding positions of extreme power, wealth, or social status. He's talking about kings, emperors, and the ultra-elite who stand so far above others that normal human interactions become impossible.
Modern Usage:
Today we see this with billionaires, A-list celebrities, and top politicians who live in bubbles where everyone wants something from them.
Contemned
To deliberately reject or scorn something that others value highly. Montaigne discusses people who voluntarily gave up power or refused prestigious positions.
Modern Usage:
Like when someone turns down a promotion to CEO because they value work-life balance over status and money.
Moderate fortune
Having enough money and status to be comfortable but not so much that it isolates you from normal human experience. Montaigne argues this is the sweet spot of human existence.
Modern Usage:
This is like choosing to be a department manager instead of fighting to become the company president—you have security without the isolation.
Commodious
Convenient, comfortable, or advantageous. Montaigne questions whether extreme power is actually as beneficial as people assume it to be.
Modern Usage:
We use this when evaluating whether prestigious jobs are actually worth the stress and sacrifice they require.
Ambition
The drive for power, status, or recognition. Montaigne explores how even rejecting power can be a form of ambition if done for glory or attention.
Modern Usage:
Today we see this in people who make a big show of 'quiet quitting' or rejecting promotions to appear morally superior.
Fruition
The actual enjoyment or fulfillment of achieving something you've worked toward. Montaigne suggests that having power might be less satisfying than pursuing it.
Modern Usage:
Like how people often feel empty after finally getting their dream job or reaching a major goal they'd worked toward for years.
Characters in This Chapter
Montaigne
Philosophical narrator
The author reflects on his own relationship with ambition and power, admitting he'd rather be moderately successful in his hometown than supremely powerful elsewhere. He positions himself as someone who has consciously chosen the middle path.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who stays in middle management because they've seen how miserable the executives are
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Since we cannot attain unto it, let us revenge our selves by railing at it"
Context: Opening the essay by acknowledging a common human tendency
Montaigne starts by admitting that criticizing greatness might just be sour grapes—people often dismiss what they can't have. This honest self-awareness sets up his more nuanced argument that follows.
In Today's Words:
Since we can't be rich and famous, let's just talk about how much it sucks
"Greatness has, in general, this manifest advantage, that it can lower itself when it pleases"
Context: Discussing the one real benefit of being at the top
This reveals Montaigne's key insight: the powerful have choices that others don't, including the choice to step down. But he questions whether this flexibility is worth the isolation that comes with extreme status.
In Today's Words:
The one good thing about being the boss is you can always choose to stop being the boss
"I find it a very hard thing to undergo misfortunes, but to be content with a moderate measure of fortune, and to avoid greatness, I think a very easy matter"
Context: Explaining his personal philosophy about ambition
Montaigne distinguishes between handling poverty (which is genuinely difficult) and choosing moderation over maximum success (which he sees as actually quite simple). This challenges the assumption that everyone should always want more.
In Today's Words:
Being broke is terrible, but being satisfied with 'enough' instead of chasing the very top? That's actually pretty easy
Thematic Threads
Power
In This Chapter
Montaigne shows how power creates a bubble that prevents authentic human connection and genuine achievement
Development
Building on earlier discussions of authority, now exploring the personal cost of wielding it
In Your Life:
You might notice this when you get promoted and suddenly your coworkers act differently around you
Authenticity
In This Chapter
The essay reveals how success can make it impossible to know if your victories are real or just people letting you win
Development
Continues Montaigne's theme of preferring honest self-knowledge over flattering illusions
In Your Life:
You experience this when you can't tell if people agree with you because you're right or because of your position
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Shows how society expects those at the top to always win, creating pressure that distorts all interactions
Development
Extends earlier observations about social roles into the realm of leadership and status
In Your Life:
You might feel this pressure when everyone expects you to have all the answers just because you're in charge
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Argues that real development requires challenge and struggle, which success can eliminate
Development
Deepens the ongoing theme that comfort and ease often prevent rather than enable growth
In Your Life:
You see this when you realize you've stopped learning because no one questions your expertise anymore
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Explores how power imbalances poison genuine connection and create artificial deference
Development
Builds on earlier insights about friendship and honesty, showing how status corrupts both
In Your Life:
You experience this when old friends start treating you differently after you achieve success
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
According to Montaigne, what specific problems do powerful people face that regular people don't have to deal with?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Montaigne think that always winning or being agreed with actually makes life worse, not better?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about someone you know who got promoted or gained status - how did people start treating them differently, and what did they lose in the process?
application • medium - 4
If you had to choose between being the smartest person in an average group or average in a brilliant group, which would you pick and why?
application • deep - 5
What does this essay reveal about the human need for genuine challenge and honest feedback in our relationships?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Status Bubble
Think of an area where you have some authority or expertise - at work, in your family, or in a hobby. List three ways people treat you differently because of this status, and identify what honest feedback or real challenge you might be missing as a result. Then brainstorm one specific action you could take to get more authentic interaction in this area.
Consider:
- •Notice both obvious deference (people always agreeing) and subtle changes (conversations stopping when you approach)
- •Consider what growth opportunities you might be losing when people don't challenge your ideas
- •Think about which relationships still give you honest pushback - those are your reality checks
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone's honesty surprised or challenged you. How did that interaction help you grow in ways that constant agreement never could?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 102: The Art of Real Conversation
Having explored the isolation of power, Montaigne turns to something more hopeful: the art of genuine conversation. He'll reveal what makes some discussions memorable while others fall flat, and why the best conversations happen when nobody's trying to win.
