Summary
Montaigne tackles a problem that sounds remarkably modern: how do you stop people from going broke trying to look rich? His insight cuts straight to the heart of human psychology. When governments ban luxury items like silk or gold jewelry, claiming only the wealthy can have them, they accidentally make these things more desirable, not less. It's like putting a 'Do Not Touch' sign on something—suddenly everyone wants it. Montaigne argues this approach is completely backwards. Instead of making luxury illegal for common people, leaders should make it unfashionable by refusing to wear it themselves. He points to a fascinating example: when the French court wore simple cloth for mourning, silk suddenly became associated with doctors and barbers—not exactly the height of cool. The real power lies with trendsetters, not lawmakers. When kings and celebrities stop flaunting wealth, everyone else follows naturally. Montaigne also examines an ancient Greek leader named Zeleucus, who brilliantly made luxury items legal only for prostitutes and entertainers—effectively making them social poison for respectable people. The deeper message here is about human nature and social influence. We're wired to want what seems exclusive and to copy those we admire. Smart leaders understand this psychology and use it wisely, while bad laws fight against it and fail. Montaigne warns that when societies become obsessed with status symbols and constant change in fashion, it signals deeper problems—like cracks in a building's foundation.
Coming Up in Chapter 44
After examining how we display ourselves to the world, Montaigne turns inward to explore one of life's most mysterious daily experiences—sleep and the strange world of dreams that visits us each night.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
OF SUMPTUARY LAWS The way by which our laws attempt to regulate idle and vain expenses in meat and clothes, seems to be quite contrary to the end designed. The true way would be to beget in men a contempt of silks and gold, as vain, frivolous, and useless; whereas we augment to them the honours, and enhance the value of such things, which, sure, is a very improper way to create a disgust. For to enact that none but princes shall eat turbot, shall wear velvet or gold lace, and interdict these things to the people, what is it but to bring them into a greater esteem, and to set every one more agog to eat and wear them? Let kings leave off these ensigns of grandeur; they have others enough besides; those excesses are more excusable in any other than a prince. We may learn by the example of several nations better ways of exterior distinction of quality (which, truly, I conceive to be very requisite in a state) enough, without fostering to this purpose such corruption and manifest inconvenience. ‘Tis strange how suddenly and with how much ease custom in these indifferent things establishes itself and becomes authority. We had scarce worn cloth a year, in compliance with the court, for the mourning of Henry II., but that silks were already grown into such contempt with every one, that a man so clad was presently concluded a citizen: silks were divided betwixt the physicians and surgeons, and though all other people almost went in the same habit, there was, notwithstanding, in one thing or other, sufficient distinction of the several conditions of men. How suddenly do greasy chamois and linen doublets become the fashion in our armies, whilst all neatness and richness of habit fall into contempt? Let kings but lead the dance and begin to leave off this expense, and in a month the business will be done throughout the kingdom, without edict or ordinance; we shall all follow. It should be rather proclaimed, on the contrary, that no one should wear scarlet or goldsmiths’ work but courtesans and tumblers. Zeleucus by the like invention reclaimed the corrupted manners of the Locrians. His laws were, that no free woman should be allowed any more than one maid to follow her, unless she was drunk: nor was to stir out of the city by night, wear jewels of gold about her, or go in an embroidered robe, unless she was a professed and public prostitute; that, bravos excepted, no man was to wear a gold ring, nor be seen in one of those effeminate robes woven in the city of Miletus. By which infamous exceptions he discreetly diverted his citizens from superfluities and pernicious pleasures, and it was a project of great utility to attract then by honour and ambition to their duty and obedience. Our kings can do what they please in such external reformations; their own inclination stands in this case for a law: “Quicquid...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Reverse Psychology - Why Banning Something Makes It Irresistible
The more forcefully you ban something, the more desirable and powerful it becomes to those who are forbidden from having it.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when restrictions accidentally increase desire for the forbidden thing.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone's 'no' makes you want something more—then ask yourself if you actually wanted it before they said you couldn't have it.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Sumptuary Laws
Government regulations that control what people can buy, wear, or consume based on their social class. These laws tried to keep the poor from imitating the rich by banning certain luxury items. They existed across many cultures to maintain social order and prevent people from going broke trying to look wealthy.
Modern Usage:
We see this in dress codes at work or school, age restrictions on certain purchases, or even social media algorithms that gatekeep exclusive content.
Status Symbols
Objects or behaviors that signal wealth, power, or social position to others. Montaigne shows how making something forbidden often makes it more desirable rather than less. The key insight is that people want these things not for their actual value but for what they communicate about their owner.
Modern Usage:
Designer handbags, luxury cars, expensive sneakers, or even having the latest iPhone all serve as modern status symbols.
Reverse Psychology
The strategy of achieving a goal by advocating for the opposite behavior. Montaigne suggests that instead of banning luxury items, leaders should make them unfashionable by refusing to use them themselves. This works because people naturally copy those they admire rather than rebel against authority.
Modern Usage:
When influencers make something 'uncool' by association, or when parents use strategic disinterest to discourage bad behavior in teens.
Social Contagion
The way behaviors, attitudes, and fashions spread through society like a virus. Montaigne observes how quickly cloth became fashionable and silk became associated with lower-status professions when the court changed its style. People unconsciously mirror those around them, especially those they respect.
Modern Usage:
Viral TikTok trends, the spread of slang, or how entire neighborhoods suddenly start doing the same home renovations.
Moral Authority
The power to influence others through example rather than force. Montaigne argues that leaders who live simply and avoid excess have more real influence than those who try to control behavior through laws. People follow what they see, not what they're told.
Modern Usage:
CEOs who take pay cuts during layoffs, politicians who use public transportation, or teachers who follow their own classroom rules.
Unintended Consequences
When an action produces results that are the opposite of what was intended. Montaigne shows how laws meant to reduce desire for luxury goods actually increase that desire by making them seem more exclusive and valuable. Good intentions can backfire spectacularly.
Modern Usage:
Banning books makes them bestsellers, or telling teenagers not to do something makes them want to do it more.
Characters in This Chapter
Zeleucus
Ancient Greek lawmaker
A clever ruler who solved the luxury problem by making expensive items legal only for prostitutes and entertainers. This brilliant strategy made luxury goods socially toxic for respectable people without actually banning them. His approach worked because it used social pressure rather than legal force.
Modern Equivalent:
The savvy principal who stops dress code violations by making the forbidden item the 'uniform' for detention
Henry II
French king whose death triggered fashion change
His death required the court to wear mourning cloth instead of silk, which accidentally made silk unfashionable overnight. Montaigne uses this example to show how quickly social attitudes can shift when influential people change their behavior, even for unrelated reasons.
Modern Equivalent:
The celebrity whose personal tragedy changes what's considered appropriate to wear or buy
The Physicians and Surgeons
Professional classes who inherited unfashionable clothing
When silk became associated with these working professionals rather than nobility, it lost its status appeal. Montaigne shows how social meaning attached to objects can shift rapidly based on who uses them, regardless of the objects' actual quality or cost.
Modern Equivalent:
The professions that end up wearing what used to be trendy but is now considered dated or uncool
Key Quotes & Analysis
"The true way would be to beget in men a contempt of silks and gold, as vain, frivolous, and useless; whereas we augment to them the honours, and enhance the value of such things"
Context: Explaining why sumptuary laws backfire by making forbidden items more desirable
This reveals Montaigne's deep understanding of human psychology. He sees that prohibition creates desire rather than eliminating it. The key insight is that changing attitudes works better than changing laws, but most authorities try to force compliance rather than influence minds.
In Today's Words:
If you want people to stop wanting expensive stuff, make them think it's tacky—don't make it illegal, because that just makes everyone want it more.
"Let kings leave off these ensigns of grandeur; they have others enough besides; those excesses are more excusable in any other than a prince"
Context: Arguing that leaders should model simple living rather than enforce it on others
Montaigne challenges the assumption that leaders need luxury to maintain authority. He suggests that true power comes from moral influence, not material display. This is radical thinking for his time, when royal magnificence was considered essential to political stability.
In Today's Words:
Rich and powerful people should stop showing off their wealth—they have plenty of other ways to prove they're important, and it's worse when they do it than when regular people do.
"'Tis strange how suddenly and with how much ease custom in these indifferent things establishes itself and becomes authority"
Context: Observing how quickly the mourning cloth became the new fashion standard
This quote captures Montaigne's fascination with how arbitrary social conventions become ironclad rules almost overnight. He's showing us that what we think of as natural or permanent social order is actually fragile and changeable, which should make us question other assumptions about 'how things must be.'
In Today's Words:
It's crazy how fast something totally random can become 'the way things are done' and suddenly everyone acts like it's always been that way.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Montaigne shows how sumptuary laws meant to preserve class distinctions actually blur them by making luxury items symbols of rebellion and aspiration
Development
Building on earlier discussions of social hierarchy, now examining how class boundaries are enforced and undermined
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when designer knockoffs become popular specifically because the originals are 'only for rich people.'
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The chapter reveals how social norms are more effectively shaped by influence and example than by rules and punishment
Development
Expanding from personal behavior expectations to societal norm-setting mechanisms
In Your Life:
You see this when peer pressure works better than official policies at your workplace or in your family.
Identity
In This Chapter
Montaigne explores how people use forbidden objects and behaviors to signal their identity and aspirations
Development
Deepening the theme of how external markers shape internal sense of self
In Your Life:
You might notice this when you want something more because it represents who you wish you could be.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
The essay examines the relationship between authority and subjects, showing how control attempts can backfire and damage trust
Development
Extending relationship dynamics beyond personal bonds to include power structures
In Your Life:
You experience this when someone tries to control your choices and it makes you want to resist them even more.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Montaigne suggests that understanding human psychology leads to more effective influence and better outcomes
Development
Continuing the theme of self-knowledge as a tool for navigating the world more skillfully
In Your Life:
You grow when you learn to influence through example and curiosity rather than commands and criticism.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
According to Montaigne, what happens when governments try to ban luxury items to stop people from overspending?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does making something 'forbidden' actually increase people's desire for it, rather than reducing it?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this 'forbidden fruit' pattern playing out in your workplace, family, or community today?
application • medium - 4
Think of a situation where you need someone to change their behavior. How could you use influence instead of rules or threats?
application • deep - 5
What does Montaigne's insight about luxury laws reveal about the difference between authority and influence in human relationships?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Flip the Script: From Prohibition to Influence
Think of a current situation where someone is trying to control behavior through rules, restrictions, or threats (at work, home, or in your community). Write down what they're trying to prevent and why it's not working. Then redesign the approach using influence instead of prohibition—how could they make the desired behavior look appealing or high-status?
Consider:
- •What makes the forbidden behavior attractive to people right now?
- •Who do the rule-breakers look up to or want to impress?
- •How could you make following the rules feel like joining the 'cool crowd' instead of giving up freedom?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone tried to control your behavior through rules or threats. How did it make you feel? Now write about a time when someone influenced you to change by making you want to change. What was the difference in how you responded?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 44: Sleep as a Measure of Character
Moving forward, we'll examine truly confident people sleep deeply before big challenges, and understand emotional regulation shows up in your ability to rest. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.