Summary
Montaigne takes aim at powerful people who chase the wrong kind of recognition, using Roman leaders Cicero and Pliny as prime examples. These men, despite holding the highest offices in Rome, spent their time crafting elegant letters and begging historians to remember them—behavior Montaigne finds beneath their station. He argues that when leaders excel at skills that don't match their role, it actually reveals poor judgment about what matters. A king who's praised for being a great painter or dancer is being subtly mocked, not honored. Montaigne uses the story of Alexander the Great, whose father Philip scolded him for singing too well at a feast, asking if he wasn't ashamed of such talent. The real message: when you're excellent at the wrong things, people question whether you understand your actual job. Montaigne extends this criticism to his own writing, noting he'd rather people say nothing about his style than focus on surface-level craft while missing the substance. He reveals his own struggles with formal letter-writing, admitting he's terrible at ceremonial language and flowery courtesy because he finds it dishonest. His letters are blunt and rushed because he writes only what he truly means. This chapter serves as both social criticism and personal confession, showing how the pursuit of impressive but irrelevant skills can actually signal incompetence in what truly matters.
Coming Up in Chapter 40
Next, Montaigne turns to a fundamental question about human nature: do things have inherent value, or does our opinion create their worth? He'll explore how our minds shape our reality in ways we rarely recognize.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
CONSIDERATION UPON CICERO One word more by way of comparison betwixt these two. There are to be gathered out of the writings of Cicero and the younger Pliny (but little, in my opinion, resembling his uncle in his humours) infinite testimonies of a beyond measure ambitious nature; and amongst others, this for one, that they both, in the sight of all the world, solicit the historians of their time not to forget them in their memoirs; and fortune, as if in spite, has made the vanity of those requests live upon record down to this age of ours, while she has long since consigned the histories themselves to oblivion. But this exceeds all meanness of spirit in persons of such a quality as they were, to think to derive any great renown from babbling and prating; even to the publishing of their private letters to their friends, and so withal, that though some of them were never sent, the opportunity being lost, they nevertheless presented them to the light, with this worthy excuse that they were unwilling to lose their labours and lucubrations. Was it not very well becoming two consuls of Rome, sovereign magistrates of the republic that commanded the world, to spend their leisure in contriving quaint and elegant missives, thence to gain the reputation of being versed in their own mother-tongues? What could a pitiful schoolmaster have done worse, whose trade it was thereby to get his living? If the acts of Xenophon and Caesar had not far transcended their eloquence, I scarce believe they would ever have taken the pains to have written them; they made it their business to recommend not their speaking, but their doing. And could the perfection of eloquence have added a lustre suitable to a great personage, certainly Scipio and Laelius had never resigned the honour of their comedies, with all the luxuriances and elegances of the Latin tongue, to an African slave; for that the work was theirs, its beauty and excellence sufficiently declare; Terence himself confesses as much, and I should take it ill from any one that would dispossess me of that belief. ‘Tis a kind of mockery and offence to extol a man for qualities misbecoming his condition, though otherwise commendable in themselves, but such as ought not, however, to be his chief talent; as if a man should commend a king for being a good painter, a good architect, a good marksman, or a good runner at the ring: commendations that add no honour, unless mentioned altogether and in the train of those that are properly applicable to him, namely, justice and the science of governing and conducting his people both in peace and war. At this rate, agriculture was an honour to Cyrus, and eloquence and the knowledge of letters to Charlemagne. I have in my time known some, who by writing acquired both their titles and fortune, disown their apprenticeship, corrupt their style, and affect ignorance in so vulgar a quality (which also...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Misplaced Excellence
People pursue impressive secondary skills to avoid or compensate for weakness in their primary responsibilities.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to spot when someone (including yourself) is excelling at the wrong things to avoid doing their actual job well.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when people get praised for skills that don't match their main responsibility—and check if you're doing the same thing.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Consul
The highest elected office in ancient Rome, equivalent to a president or prime minister today. Two consuls shared power and commanded armies, making them the most powerful people in the Roman Republic.
Modern Usage:
We see this when CEOs or politicians get distracted by social media fame instead of focusing on actual leadership.
Lucubrations
Late-night scholarly writing or study, often implying excessive effort on intellectual work. Montaigne uses this mockingly to describe Cicero's obsession with crafting perfect letters.
Modern Usage:
Like someone spending hours perfecting their LinkedIn posts instead of doing their actual job.
Vanity of requests
The embarrassing desperation of powerful people begging to be remembered by history. Montaigne points out the irony that their pleading survived while the actual histories they wanted to be in disappeared.
Modern Usage:
Similar to celebrities constantly asking followers to 'like and subscribe' or politicians obsessing over their Wikipedia pages.
Meanness of spirit
A petty, small-minded attitude that's beneath someone's station or dignity. Montaigne criticizes leaders who act like attention-seeking schoolchildren instead of dignified rulers.
Modern Usage:
When a boss micromanages employees' email formatting instead of focusing on big-picture strategy.
Mother-tongue
One's native language. Montaigne mocks Cicero and Pliny for showing off their Latin writing skills as if speaking your own language well was some rare achievement.
Modern Usage:
Like a manager bragging about their PowerPoint skills when they should be leading teams.
Sovereign magistrates
The highest government officials with supreme authority. Montaigne emphasizes how ridiculous it is for such powerful people to act like amateur writers seeking praise.
Modern Usage:
When world leaders spend more time on Twitter than governing, or CEOs focus on personal branding over company performance.
Characters in This Chapter
Cicero
Primary example of misplaced priorities
A powerful Roman consul and orator who spent his time crafting elegant letters and begging historians to remember him. Montaigne uses him as the perfect example of a leader focused on the wrong things.
Modern Equivalent:
The CEO who's always posting on LinkedIn
Pliny the Younger
Secondary example of attention-seeking
Another Roman leader who, like Cicero, was obsessed with literary fame and getting historians to write about him. Montaigne notes he was nothing like his more substantial uncle.
Modern Equivalent:
The politician who cares more about their book deal than policy
Alexander the Great
Cautionary tale
The famous conqueror whose father Philip criticized him for singing too well at a feast, asking if he wasn't ashamed of such talent. Used to show how excellence in the wrong areas can be embarrassing.
Modern Equivalent:
The executive who's praised for their karaoke skills
Philip of Macedon
Voice of wisdom
Alexander's father who questioned why a future king would waste time perfecting skills like singing. Represents the voice that asks whether you're focusing on what actually matters.
Modern Equivalent:
The mentor who asks why you're perfecting your Instagram instead of your craft
Xenophon
Contrasting example
A Greek historian and soldier whose actual deeds spoke for themselves, unlike Cicero's empty self-promotion. Montaigne implies real achievers don't need to beg for recognition.
Modern Equivalent:
The quiet high performer who lets their work speak
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Was it not very well becoming two consuls of Rome, sovereign magistrates of the republic that commanded the world, to spend their leisure in contriving quaint and elegant missives, thence to gain the reputation of being versed in their own mother-tongues?"
Context: Mocking Cicero and Pliny for focusing on letter-writing instead of leadership
This sarcastic question cuts to the heart of Montaigne's criticism - that powerful people were wasting time on trivial skills while neglecting their real responsibilities. The irony is thick: these men ruled an empire but wanted praise for basic writing ability.
In Today's Words:
Really? The most powerful people in the world spent their free time crafting perfect emails to look smart?
"What could a pitiful schoolmaster have done worse, whose trade it was thereby to get his living?"
Context: Comparing the Roman leaders unfavorably to a lowly teacher
Montaigne delivers a brutal insult by suggesting these mighty consuls acted like desperate teachers trying to impress students. The comparison shows how far beneath their dignity this behavior was.
In Today's Words:
They were acting like some broke substitute teacher trying to show off.
"Are you not ashamed, being a king, to sing so well?"
Context: Philip questioning his son's musical talents at a feast
This quote captures the central theme - that excellence in the wrong areas can actually be shameful for leaders. Philip understood that a king's reputation should rest on kingly virtues, not entertainment skills.
In Today's Words:
Shouldn't you be embarrassed that you're better at this than at being a leader?
Thematic Threads
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Montaigne exposes how society rewards the wrong performances—praising leaders for literary skill rather than governance
Development
Building on earlier themes about authentic self-presentation versus social performance
In Your Life:
You might find yourself seeking praise for being the 'fun' coworker while avoiding the hard conversations your role actually requires
Identity
In This Chapter
The gap between who you're supposed to be in your role and who you perform being for applause
Development
Deepening exploration of authentic versus performed identity from previous chapters
In Your Life:
You might excel at organizing family events while struggling with the daily emotional labor of actually connecting with family members
Class
In This Chapter
Montaigne criticizes high-ranking Romans for behaviors beneath their station—a class-based judgment about appropriate skills
Development
Continues examination of social hierarchy and appropriate behavior by class/role
In Your Life:
You might feel pressure to develop 'impressive' skills that don't actually help you succeed in your current position or life situation
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Montaigne's honest admission about his own poor letter-writing skills shows growth through self-awareness
Development
Reinforces the value of honest self-assessment over polished performance
In Your Life:
You might need to honestly assess whether your areas of pride are actually your areas of responsibility
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Montaigne criticize Roman leaders like Cicero and Pliny for writing beautiful letters and seeking praise from historians?
analysis • surface - 2
What does the story of Alexander the Great's father scolding him for singing too well reveal about the relationship between talent and appropriate focus?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about your workplace or community - can you identify someone who gets praised for skills that aren't their main job? How does this affect their actual responsibilities?
application • medium - 4
When have you found yourself seeking recognition for something impressive but secondary to your real responsibilities? What drew you toward that easier praise?
reflection • deep - 5
How can you tell the difference between being well-rounded versus chasing the wrong kind of excellence? What questions should you ask yourself?
application • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Audit Your Excellence
List your main role or responsibility in life (parent, employee, student, etc.). Below that, write down what you've been complimented on or recognized for in the past month. Now honestly assess: are you getting praised for your core job, or for impressive side skills? Circle any praise that might be distracting you from what actually matters most.
Consider:
- •Be honest about whether compliments reflect your priorities or just what's easiest to notice
- •Consider what the people who depend on you most would say you should focus on
- •Think about whether you're avoiding harder, less visible work by excelling at flashier tasks
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you realized you were chasing recognition in the wrong area. What made you recognize the pattern, and how did you redirect your energy toward what actually mattered?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 40: The Power of Perspective Over Pain
Next, Montaigne turns to a fundamental question about human nature: do things have inherent value, or does our opinion create their worth? He'll explore how our minds shape our reality in ways we rarely recognize.
