Summary
Montaigne opens with a radical idea: just because something doesn't work for you doesn't mean it's wrong for everyone else. He admits he's not particularly disciplined himself, but he deeply respects monks and their austere lifestyle. This isn't hypocrisy—it's wisdom. He argues that most people make the mistake of assuming everyone should think and act like they do, which blinds them to other valid ways of living. The essay then shifts to a deeper problem: how we judge virtue itself. Montaigne argues that true virtue must come from pure internal motivation, not from seeking profit, glory, or social approval. He tells the story of a Spartan warrior who fought bravely at Plataea but was denied honors because his courage came from wanting to redeem his earlier cowardice—making it less than pure virtue. This leads to Montaigne's broader critique of his era: people have become so cynical that they automatically assume selfish motives behind every noble act. Instead of celebrating greatness, they tear it down with suspicious interpretations. He advocates for the opposite approach—giving heroes the benefit of the doubt and interpreting their actions generously. The essay concludes with five Latin poets praising Cato the Younger, demonstrating how great figures inspire great art across generations. Montaigne suggests that recognizing true greatness requires a kind of spiritual elevation that many people simply lack.
Coming Up in Chapter 37
Next, Montaigne explores one of humanity's strangest contradictions: how the same event can make us both laugh and cry. He'll examine why our emotions are so unpredictable and what this reveals about human nature.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
OF CATO THE YOUNGER [“I am not possessed with this common errour, to judge of others according to what I am my selfe. I am easie to beleeve things differing from my selfe. Though I be engaged to one forme, I do not tie the world unto it, as every man doth. And I beleeve and conceive a thousand manners of life, contrary to the common sorte.” --Florio, ed. 1613, p. 113.] I am not guilty of the common error of judging another by myself. I easily believe that in another’s humour which is contrary to my own; and though I find myself engaged to one certain form, I do not oblige others to it, as many do; but believe and apprehend a thousand ways of living; and, contrary to most men, more easily admit of difference than uniformity amongst us. I as frankly as any one would have me, discharge a man from my humours and principles, and consider him according to his own particular model. Though I am not continent myself, I nevertheless sincerely approve the continence of the Feuillans and Capuchins, and highly commend their way of living. I insinuate myself by imagination into their place, and love and honour them the more for being other than I am. I very much desire that we may be judged every man by himself, and would not be drawn into the consequence of common examples. My own weakness nothing alters the esteem I ought to have for the force and vigour of those who deserve it: “Sunt qui nihil suadent, quam quod se imitari posse confidunt.” [“There are who persuade nothing but what they believe they can imitate themselves.”--Cicero, De Orator., c. 7.] Crawling upon the slime of the earth, I do not for all that cease to observe up in the clouds the inimitable height of some heroic souls. ‘Tis a great deal for me to have my judgment regular and just, if the effects cannot be so, and to maintain this sovereign part, at least, free from corruption; ‘tis something to have my will right and good where my legs fail me. This age wherein we live, in our part of the world at least, is grown so stupid, that not only the exercise, but the very imagination of virtue is defective, and seems to be no other but college jargon: “Virtutem verba putant, ut Lucum ligna:” [“They think words virtue, as they think mere wood a sacred grove.” --Horace, Ep., i. 6, 31.] “Quam vereri deberent, etiam si percipere non possent.” [“Which they ought to reverence, though they cannot comprehend.” --Cicero, Tusc. Quas., v. 2.] ‘Tis a gewgaw to hang in a cabinet or at the end of the tongue, as on the tip of the ear, for ornament only. There are no longer virtuous actions extant; those actions that carry a show of virtue have yet nothing of its essence; by reason that profit, glory, fear, custom, and other suchlike foreign causes, put us on...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Generous Judgment
The tendency to assume selfish motives behind others' good actions, which reveals our own insecurities while destroying our ability to recognize genuine excellence.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when your judgments of others reveal more about your own fears and limitations than about their actual motives.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you question someone's good deed or success—ask yourself if you're projecting your own insecurities onto their situation.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Stoicism
A philosophy that emphasizes virtue, self-control, and accepting what you cannot change. Stoics believed true happiness comes from living according to reason and virtue, not from external circumstances or pleasures.
Modern Usage:
We see this in people who stay calm under pressure and focus on what they can control rather than complaining about what they can't.
Moral relativism
The idea that different moral standards can be valid for different people or cultures. Montaigne argues that just because something doesn't work for you doesn't make it wrong for others.
Modern Usage:
This shows up when we recognize that different parenting styles or life choices can all be valid, even if they're not what we'd choose.
Pure virtue
Acting morally for its own sake, not for rewards, recognition, or to make up for past mistakes. Montaigne argues that true virtue must come from genuine internal motivation, not external pressures.
Modern Usage:
We see this debate when questioning whether someone who donates to charity for tax benefits is truly generous.
Cynicism
The tendency to assume the worst motives behind people's actions. Montaigne criticizes his era for automatically suspecting selfish reasons behind every noble act.
Modern Usage:
This appears when people assume celebrities only do charity work for publicity or that politicians never genuinely care about their causes.
Battle of Plataea
A famous Greek victory over the Persians in 479 BC. Montaigne uses a story from this battle to illustrate how even brave acts can be questioned if the motivation isn't pure.
Modern Usage:
We reference historical battles like this when discussing courage, honor, and what makes actions truly heroic.
Feuillans and Capuchins
Catholic monastic orders known for their strict, austere lifestyle. Montaigne admires their discipline even though he admits he couldn't live that way himself.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how we might respect people who choose minimalist lifestyles or extreme fitness regimens even if we prefer comfort.
Characters in This Chapter
Cato the Younger
Moral exemplar
A Roman statesman famous for his unwavering principles and moral integrity. Montaigne uses him as an example of someone whose virtue was so pure it inspired great poetry and admiration across centuries.
Modern Equivalent:
The principled whistleblower who sacrifices their career for what's right
The Spartan warrior
Cautionary example
A soldier who fought bravely at Plataea but was denied honors because his courage came from wanting to redeem earlier cowardice. His story illustrates how even good actions can be questioned if the motivation is impure.
Modern Equivalent:
The employee who works extra hard only after getting a bad performance review
Montaigne himself
Self-aware narrator
Admits his own lack of discipline while praising others who have it. He models intellectual humility by acknowledging his limitations and celebrating virtues he doesn't possess.
Modern Equivalent:
The honest friend who admits their flaws while still giving good advice
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I am not guilty of the common error of judging another by myself."
Context: Opening the essay with his core philosophy about not imposing his own standards on others
This sets up Montaigne's entire worldview about tolerance and intellectual humility. He recognizes that his way of living isn't the only valid way, which was radical thinking for his time.
In Today's Words:
Just because something doesn't work for me doesn't mean it's wrong for you.
"Though I am not continent myself, I nevertheless sincerely approve the continence of the Feuillans and Capuchins."
Context: Explaining how he can admire monastic discipline despite lacking it himself
This demonstrates genuine intellectual honesty and the ability to appreciate virtues you don't possess. It shows maturity to recognize and respect what you cannot or choose not to do.
In Today's Words:
I'm not disciplined myself, but I genuinely respect people who are.
"I very much desire that we may be judged every man by himself, and would not be drawn into the consequence of common examples."
Context: Arguing against using one standard to judge all people
Montaigne advocates for individualized judgment rather than applying blanket standards. This reflects his belief in human complexity and the danger of oversimplification.
In Today's Words:
I want people to be judged as individuals, not lumped together with everyone else.
Thematic Threads
Judgment
In This Chapter
Montaigne advocates for generous interpretation of others' motives rather than cynical suspicion
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself assuming the worst about a coworker's success or questioning someone's kindness.
Identity
In This Chapter
Montaigne admits his own lack of discipline while respecting monks, showing secure self-knowledge
Development
Builds on earlier themes of honest self-assessment
In Your Life:
You can respect lifestyles different from yours without feeling threatened or defensive about your own choices.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The essay critiques society's tendency to tear down heroes and question pure virtue
Development
Continues exploration of how social pressure distorts authentic behavior
In Your Life:
You might notice how gossip and cynicism in your workplace or community discourage people from trying to excel.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
True virtue must come from internal motivation, not external rewards or approval
Development
Deepens earlier discussions about authentic versus performative behavior
In Your Life:
You can examine whether your good actions come from genuine care or from wanting recognition and praise.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Montaigne says he's not disciplined himself but deeply respects monks who are. Why isn't this hypocritical? What's the difference between respecting something and needing to live it yourself?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Montaigne think the Spartan warrior's courage was less valuable because he was trying to redeem earlier cowardice? What makes virtue 'pure' versus 'impure' in his view?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern today—people automatically assuming selfish motives behind good deeds? Think about your workplace, social media, or even family dynamics.
application • medium - 4
When someone at work gets promoted or recognized, what's your first instinct—to celebrate their achievement or to wonder what advantage they had? How could you practice Montaigne's 'generous judgment'?
application • deep - 5
Montaigne suggests that tearing down others' achievements reveals our own spiritual poverty. What does this teach us about the relationship between how we judge others and how we see ourselves?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Practice Generous Judgment
Think of someone whose recent success or good deed you initially questioned or felt suspicious about. Write down your first reaction, then deliberately practice Montaigne's generous judgment—what's the most positive interpretation of their actions? Notice what changes in how you feel about both them and yourself.
Consider:
- •Your initial suspicion might reveal more about your own insecurities than about their motives
- •Generous judgment doesn't mean being naive—it means choosing the better interpretation when evidence is unclear
- •Notice how cynicism affects your own capacity to do good—when we expect the worst from others, we often deliver it ourselves
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone judged your good intentions harshly. How did it feel? How might you avoid doing this to others, and what would change in your relationships if you practiced generous judgment consistently?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 37: Why We Laugh and Cry Simultaneously
The coming pages reveal to understand your own contradictory emotions without judging yourself, and teach us people can feel genuine grief even for enemies they've defeated. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.