An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 524 words)
OF ONE DEFECT IN OUR GOVERNMENT
My late father, a man that had no other advantages than experience and
his own natural parts, was nevertheless of a very clear judgment,
formerly told me that he once had thoughts of endeavouring to introduce
this practice; that there might be in every city a certain place assigned
to which such as stood in need of anything might repair, and have their
business entered by an officer appointed for that purpose. As for
example: I want a chapman to buy my pearls; I want one that has pearls to
sell; such a one wants company to go to Paris; such a one seeks a servant
of such a quality; such a one a master; such a one such an artificer;
some inquiring for one thing, some for another, every one according to
what he wants. And doubtless, these mutual advertisements would be of no
contemptible advantage to the public correspondence and intelligence: for
there are evermore conditions that hunt after one another, and for want
of knowing one another’s occasions leave men in very great necessity.
I have heard, to the great shame of the age we live in, that in our very
sight two most excellent men for learning died so poor that they had
scarce bread to put in their mouths: Lilius Gregorius Giraldus in Italy
and Sebastianus Castalio in Germany: and I believe there are a thousand
men would have invited them into their families, with very advantageous
conditions, or have relieved them where they were, had they known their
wants. The world is not so generally corrupted, but that I know a man
that would heartily wish the estate his ancestors have left him might be
employed, so long as it shall please fortune to give him leave to enjoy
it, to secure rare and remarkable persons of any kind, whom misfortune
sometimes persecutes to the last degree, from the dangers of necessity;
and at least place them in such a condition that they must be very hard
to please, if they are not contented.
My father in his domestic economy had this rule (which I know how to
commend, but by no means to imitate), namely, that besides the day-book
or memorial of household affairs, where the small accounts, payments, and
disbursements, which do not require a secretary’s hand, were entered, and
which a steward always had in custody, he ordered him whom he employed to
write for him, to keep a journal, and in it to set down all the
remarkable occurrences, and daily memorials of the history of his house:
very pleasant to look over, when time begins to wear things out of
memory, and very useful sometimes to put us out of doubt when such a
thing was begun, when ended; what visitors came, and when they went; our
travels, absences, marriages, and deaths; the reception of good or ill
news; the change of principal servants, and the like. An ancient custom,
which I think it would not be amiss for every one to revive in his own
house; and I find I did very foolishly in neglecting it.
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
We overlook effective simple solutions because they seem too obvious or unsophisticated, preferring complex approaches that feel more impressive but work less well.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when complex problems actually need simple information-sharing solutions rather than elaborate systems.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you hear 'we need a better system'—ask instead 'what simple information exchange would solve this?'
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"there are evermore conditions that hunt after one another, and for want of knowing one another's occasions leave men in very great necessity"
Context: Explaining why his father's bulletin board idea would work so well
This captures a fundamental truth about human society - most problems aren't caused by actual scarcity, but by people not knowing about each other's needs and resources. It's about information gaps, not material gaps.
In Today's Words:
People who need each other are always out there, but they can't find each other and end up struggling unnecessarily.
"I believe there are a thousand men would have invited them into their families, with very advantageous conditions"
Context: Lamenting how the two brilliant scholars died in poverty
This highlights the tragedy of missed connections - wealthy patrons existed who would have gladly supported these scholars, but the communication systems didn't exist to bring them together. It's about systemic failure, not individual fault.
In Today's Words:
Plenty of people would have hired them and treated them well, if only they'd known about each other.
"My late father, a man that had no other advantages than experience and his own natural parts, was nevertheless of a very clear judgment"
Context: Introducing his father's practical wisdom at the start of the essay
Montaigne emphasizes that his father lacked formal education but possessed something more valuable - practical intelligence gained through life experience. This sets up the theme that common sense often beats book learning.
In Today's Words:
My dad didn't have fancy credentials, but he was naturally smart and had great judgment from real-world experience.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Montaigne's formally uneducated father shows more practical wisdom than learned scholars, challenging assumptions about who possesses valuable knowledge
Development
Continues theme of questioning social hierarchies based on education or status
In Your Life:
You might dismiss good advice from someone without formal credentials while overvaluing complex solutions from 'experts.'
Identity
In This Chapter
Montaigne admits he foolishly abandoned his father's practical systems, showing how we sometimes reject wisdom to establish our own identity
Development
Builds on earlier explorations of how we define ourselves, sometimes at our own expense
In Your Life:
You might reject family traditions or workplace practices just to prove you're different, even when they actually work.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
The bulletin board idea recognizes that most relationship problems stem from poor communication, not fundamental incompatibility
Development
Expands understanding of how simple systems can improve human connections
In Your Life:
Many of your conflicts with family or coworkers might be solved by better information sharing rather than deep therapy.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Montaigne grows by recognizing the value of his father's simple wisdom, showing maturity means appreciating practical solutions
Development
Shows growth as learning to value effectiveness over sophistication
In Your Life:
Real maturity might mean choosing the boring solution that works over the exciting one that impresses people.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What simple solution did Montaigne's father propose for connecting people who need things with people who have things to offer?
analysis • surface - 2
Why did two brilliant scholars die in poverty while wealthy patrons existed who would have supported them? What was the real problem?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this same pattern today—problems that persist not because of bad intentions or lack of resources, but because people can't connect with each other?
application • medium - 4
Think about a recurring problem in your workplace, family, or community. What simple 'bulletin board' solution might actually fix it?
application • deep - 5
Why do we often reject simple solutions in favor of complicated ones? What does this reveal about how we think about problems?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Design Your Own Bulletin Board
Identify one persistent problem in your daily life—at work, home, or in your community. Now design the simplest possible 'bulletin board' solution that could help people connect around this issue. Don't worry about making it perfect or sophisticated. Focus on what information needs to flow between which people.
Consider:
- •What specific information do people need to share?
- •Who are the people who have resources versus those who need them?
- •What's the simplest way to connect these groups without creating more work?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you made something more complicated than it needed to be. What were you trying to prove, and what would the simple solution have looked like?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 35: Nature vs. Custom in Clothing
From organizing communities and households, Montaigne turns to something even more personal and revealing: the clothes we choose to wear. He explores how our relationship with fashion and dress reflects deeper truths about human nature and social conformity.
