An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 593 words)
OF THE PUNISHMENT OF COWARDICE
I once heard of a prince, and a great captain, having a narration given
him as he sat at table of the proceeding against Monsieur de Vervins, who
was sentenced to death for having surrendered Boulogne to the English,
--[To Henry VIII. in 1544]--openly maintaining that a soldier could not
justly be put to death for want of courage. And, in truth, ‘tis reason
that a man should make a great difference betwixt faults that merely
proceed from infirmity, and those that are visibly the effects of
treachery and malice: for, in the last, we act against the rules of
reason that nature has imprinted in us; whereas, in the former, it seems
as if we might produce the same nature, who left us in such a state of
imperfection and weakness of courage, for our justification. Insomuch
that many have thought we are not fairly questionable for anything but
what we commit against our conscience; and it is partly upon this rule
that those ground their opinion who disapprove of capital or sanguinary
punishments inflicted upon heretics and misbelievers; and theirs also who
advocate or a judge is not accountable for having from mere ignorance
failed in his administration.
But as to cowardice, it is certain that the most usual way of chastising
it is by ignominy and and it is supposed that this practice brought into
use by the legislator Charondas; and that, before his time, the laws of
Greece punished those with death who fled from a battle; whereas he
ordained only that they be for three days exposed in the public dressed
in woman’s attire, hoping yet for some service from them, having awakened
their courage by this open shame:
“Suffundere malis homims sanguinem, quam effundere.”
[“Rather bring the blood into a man’s cheek than let it out of his
body.” Tertullian in his Apologetics.]
It appears also that the Roman laws did anciently punish those with death
who had run away; for Ammianus Marcellinus says that the Emperor Julian
commanded ten of his soldiers, who had turned their backs in an encounter
against the Parthians, to be first degraded, and afterward put to death,
according, says he, to the ancient laws,--[Ammianus Marcellinus, xxiv.
4; xxv. i.]--and yet elsewhere for the like offence he only condemned
others to remain amongst the prisoners under the baggage ensign. The
severe punishment the people of Rome inflicted upon those who fled from
the battle of Cannae, and those who ran away with Aeneius Fulvius at his
defeat, did not extend to death. And yet, methinks, ‘tis to be feared,
lest disgrace should make such delinquents desperate, and not only faint
friends, but enemies.
Of late memory,--[In 1523]--the Seigneur de Frauget, lieutenant to the
Mareschal de Chatillon’s company, having by the Mareschal de Chabannes
been put in government of Fuentarabia in the place of Monsieur de Lude,
and having surrendered it to the Spaniard, he was for that condemned to
be degraded from all nobility, and both himself and his posterity
declared ignoble, taxable, and for ever incapable of bearing arms, which
severe sentence was afterwards accordingly executed at Lyons.--[In 1536]
--And, since that, all the gentlemen who were in Guise when the Count of
Nassau entered into it, underwent the same punishment, as several others
have done since for the like offence. Notwithstanding, in case of such a
manifest ignorance or cowardice as exceeds all ordinary example, ‘tis but
reason to take it for a sufficient proof of treachery and malice, and for
such to be punished.
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
Let's Analyse the Pattern
The crucial difference between failing due to natural weakness versus choosing to fail through deliberate betrayal.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to separate natural human limitations from deliberate harm, both in yourself and others.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone fails—ask yourself whether they're struggling despite trying or choosing not to try, and adjust your response accordingly.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"A soldier could not justly be put to death for want of courage"
Context: Said during dinner while discussing the death sentence of Monsieur de Vervins
This quote captures the central moral question of the chapter. It challenges the idea that natural weakness deserves the ultimate punishment, setting up Montaigne's exploration of justice and human nature.
In Today's Words:
You can't execute someone just for being scared
"We are not fairly questionable for anything but what we commit against our conscience"
Context: Montaigne explaining why some believe we should only be punished for deliberate wrongdoing
This reveals Montaigne's nuanced view of moral responsibility. He suggests we should only face serious consequences for actions we knew were wrong, not for natural weaknesses or honest mistakes.
In Today's Words:
We should only be held accountable for things we knew were wrong when we did them
"The most usual way of chastising cowardice is by ignominy"
Context: Montaigne describing how societies typically punish cowardice through public shame
This observation shows Montaigne's practical understanding of human psychology. Shame can be more effective than death because it allows for redemption while still deterring others.
In Today's Words:
Most of the time, we punish cowards by humiliating them publicly
Thematic Threads
Justice
In This Chapter
Montaigne questions whether natural cowardice deserves the same punishment as deliberate treachery
Development
Introduced here as a central concern about fair treatment
In Your Life:
You might struggle with how harshly to judge someone who disappoints you through weakness versus malice
Human Nature
In This Chapter
Some people are naturally timid while others choose cowardice—both look the same from outside
Development
Builds on earlier themes about accepting natural human variation
In Your Life:
You might realize you've been too hard on yourself for natural tendencies you can't fully control
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Society demands courage from everyone regardless of natural temperament or circumstances
Development
Continues exploration of how social roles conflict with individual nature
In Your Life:
You might feel pressure to be brave in situations where your natural response is fear
Shame
In This Chapter
Public humiliation sometimes reforms people better than harsh punishment
Development
Introduced as a complex tool that can heal or destroy
In Your Life:
You might consider whether calling someone out publicly will help them improve or just make things worse
Leadership
In This Chapter
Military leaders must distinguish between soldiers who can't fight and those who won't fight
Development
Introduced as requiring wisdom to judge fairly
In Your Life:
You might need to evaluate whether team members are struggling or slacking
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What's the difference between the French captain who surrendered out of fear and someone who betrays their team for personal gain?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Montaigne think shame might work better than harsh punishment for reforming people?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people being punished equally for natural weakness versus deliberate betrayal in today's workplaces, schools, or relationships?
application • medium - 4
How would you handle a situation where someone on your team keeps failing—how do you tell if it's fear or deliberate sabotage?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the challenge of judging people fairly when we can only see their actions, not their intentions?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Fear vs. Betrayal Radar
Think of three people in your life who have disappointed you recently. For each person, write down what they did and then analyze: were they struggling with genuine fear or overwhelm, or were they making deliberate choices that served them at your expense? Look for clues like body language, timing, patterns of behavior, and whether they seemed genuinely distressed or calculating.
Consider:
- •Fear usually comes with visible stress signals—fidgeting, apologizing, obvious distress
- •Betrayal often involves calm calculation, excuses that don't add up, or patterns that benefit the person
- •Sometimes people start with genuine fear but cross into betrayal when they choose easier paths repeatedly
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you failed someone important to you. Was it because you were genuinely overwhelmed and scared, or because you chose the easier path? How did they respond, and what would have helped you do better?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 16: When Experts Overstep Their Bounds
From military cowardice to diplomatic cunning, Montaigne next examines how ambassadors navigate the treacherous waters of international relations, where the stakes are just as high but the weapons are words instead of swords.
