Summary
Montaigne explores one of the most revealing tests of character: how people sleep before major life events. He shares fascinating stories of legendary figures who slept soundly before their biggest moments. Alexander the Great slept so deeply before a crucial battle that his generals had to wake him repeatedly. Emperor Otho, planning his suicide, fell into such peaceful sleep that his servants heard him snoring. Cato slept through the night before facing a dangerous political confrontation that could have cost him his life. These aren't stories about being careless or disconnected—they're about having such deep confidence in your principles and preparation that anxiety can't touch you. Montaigne contrasts this with leaders who couldn't sleep due to genuine exhaustion, showing the difference between being worn down and being genuinely at peace. He suggests that our relationship with sleep reveals something profound about our character. When we're truly aligned with our values and have done what we can to prepare, we can rest. When we're conflicted, unprepared, or acting against our nature, sleep becomes elusive. The ability to sleep before big moments isn't about not caring—it's about having such clarity of purpose that external pressure can't disturb your inner calm. This chapter offers a new way to think about confidence: it's not about feeling fearless, but about being so grounded in who you are that even life-changing events can't shake your fundamental peace.
Coming Up in Chapter 45
From the quiet confidence of sleep, Montaigne turns to the chaos of battle itself, examining how people reveal their true nature when everything is on the line in 'Of the Battle of Dreux.'
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
OF SLEEP Reason directs that we should always go the same way, but not always at the same pace. And, consequently, though a wise man ought not so much to give the reins to human passions as to let him deviate from the right path, he may, notwithstanding, without prejudice to his duty, leave it to them to hasten or to slacken his speed, and not fix himself like a motionless and insensible Colossus. Could virtue itself put on flesh and blood, I believe the pulse would beat faster going on to assault than in going to dinner: that is to say, there is a necessity she should heat and be moved upon this account. I have taken notice, as of an extraordinary thing, of some great men, who in the highest enterprises and most important affairs have kept themselves in so settled and serene a calm, as not at all to break their sleep. Alexander the Great, on the day assigned for that furious battle betwixt him and Darius, slept so profoundly and so long in the morning, that Parmenio was forced to enter his chamber, and coming to his bedside, to call him several times by his name, the time to go to fight compelling him so to do. The Emperor Otho, having put on a resolution to kill himself that night, after having settled his domestic affairs, divided his money amongst his servants, and set a good edge upon a sword he had made choice of for the purpose, and now staying only to be satisfied whether all his friends had retired in safety, he fell into so sound a sleep that the gentlemen of his chamber heard him snore. The death of this emperor has in it circumstances paralleling that of the great Cato, and particularly this just related for Cato being ready to despatch himself, whilst he only stayed his hand in expectation of the return of a messenger he had sent to bring him news whether the senators he had sent away were put out from the Port of Utica, he fell into so sound a sleep, that they heard him snore in the next room; and the man, whom he had sent to the port, having awakened him to let him know that the tempestuous weather had hindered the senators from putting to sea, he despatched away another messenger, and composing again himself in the bed, settled to sleep, and slept till by the return of the last messenger he had certain intelligence they were gone. We may here further compare him with Alexander in the great and dangerous storm that threatened him by the sedition of the tribune Metellus, who, attempting to publish a decree for the calling in of Pompey with his army into the city at the time of Catiline’s conspiracy, was only and that stoutly opposed by Cato, so that very sharp language and bitter menaces passed betwixt them in the senate about that affair; but it was the...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of True Confidence - When Inner Alignment Creates Unshakeable Peace
True confidence manifests as inner peace when your actions align with your values and you've prepared within your control.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish between genuine confidence (sleeping peacefully) and false bravado (restless anxiety).
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you sleep well versus poorly before important events—your body is telling you something about your level of preparation and authenticity.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Stoicism
A philosophy that teaches emotional control through accepting what you can't change and focusing on what you can control. Stoics believed in staying calm under pressure by aligning your actions with your values.
Modern Usage:
We see this in athletes who stay focused under pressure or people who remain calm during workplace crises.
Virtue
In Montaigne's time, this meant moral excellence and living according to your principles. It wasn't about being perfect, but about being consistent with your values even when it's difficult.
Modern Usage:
Today we might call this 'having integrity' or 'walking the walk' - doing what you say you believe in.
Colossus
A giant statue, specifically referring to the Colossus of Rhodes. Montaigne uses this to describe someone who is rigid and unmovable, lacking human flexibility.
Modern Usage:
We use this for anyone who seems inflexible or emotionally distant, like saying someone is 'cold as stone.'
Temperament
Your natural emotional makeup and how you typically respond to stress. Montaigne believed understanding your own temperament was key to self-knowledge.
Modern Usage:
We talk about personality types, whether someone is naturally anxious or naturally calm under pressure.
Resolution
A firm decision or determination to do something, especially something difficult. In this context, it means having made peace with a tough choice.
Modern Usage:
When we say someone has 'made up their mind' or 'come to terms with' a difficult decision.
Serenity
A state of calm acceptance and peace, especially in the face of difficulty. Not the absence of problems, but the presence of inner stability.
Modern Usage:
We see this in people who stay centered during family drama or work stress - they're not unaffected, just unshaken.
Characters in This Chapter
Alexander the Great
Historical example
Slept so deeply before a crucial battle that his generals had to repeatedly wake him. Shows how true confidence allows for rest even before life-changing events.
Modern Equivalent:
The surgeon who naps before a major operation
Emperor Otho
Historical example
Planned his suicide but slept so peacefully that his servants heard him snoring. Demonstrates how clarity of purpose brings peace, even in extreme circumstances.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who sleeps soundly after finally deciding to leave a bad relationship
Parmenio
Supporting figure
Alexander's general who had to wake him for battle. Represents those around us who are more anxious about our big moments than we are.
Modern Equivalent:
The worried parent before their kid's big game
Cato
Historical example
Slept peacefully before a dangerous political confrontation. Shows how being aligned with your principles creates unshakeable calm.
Modern Equivalent:
The whistleblower who sleeps well before testifying
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Could virtue itself put on flesh and blood, I believe the pulse would beat faster going on to assault than in going to dinner"
Context: Montaigne explaining that even virtue has natural human responses
This shows that being virtuous doesn't mean being emotionless. Even good people feel their hearts race before big challenges - that's normal and human.
In Today's Words:
Even the best people get nervous before important moments - that's just being human.
"Alexander the Great, on the day assigned for that furious battle betwixt him and Darius, slept so profoundly and so long in the morning"
Context: Describing Alexander's calm before a major battle
This illustrates how true confidence isn't about feeling no fear, but about having such deep preparation and self-knowledge that you can rest.
In Today's Words:
Alexander was so ready for the fight that he could actually sleep in on battle day.
"The time to go to fight compelling him so to do"
Context: Why Parmenio had to wake Alexander multiple times
Shows the contrast between Alexander's inner peace and the external pressure of the moment. Real confidence operates independently of circumstances.
In Today's Words:
They literally had to drag him out of bed because it was time for the biggest battle of his life.
Thematic Threads
Authentic Confidence
In This Chapter
Montaigne shows confidence as inner alignment rather than external bravado—the ability to sleep peacefully comes from being true to yourself
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
Your calmest moments likely come when you're acting from your genuine values, not when you're trying to impress others.
Character Under Pressure
In This Chapter
How people sleep before major events reveals their true character—whether they're at peace with their choices and preparation
Development
Builds on earlier themes of self-knowledge by showing how character manifests in crisis moments
In Your Life:
Your behavior during stress reveals more about who you really are than your behavior during easy times.
Preparation vs. Anxiety
In This Chapter
The difference between exhaustion and peace—true preparation creates calm while internal conflict creates sleeplessness
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
When you can't sleep before something important, it's often your inner wisdom telling you something needs attention.
Internal vs. External Validation
In This Chapter
The legendary figures found peace because their validation came from within, not from the outcome of external events
Development
Continues Montaigne's exploration of self-reliance and authentic living
In Your Life:
Your peace of mind shouldn't depend on other people's reactions to your choices.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What do the stories of Alexander, Otho, and Cato all have in common about how they slept before major life events?
analysis • surface - 2
According to Montaigne, what's the difference between someone who can't sleep due to exhaustion versus someone who can't sleep due to anxiety?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about people you know who stay calm under pressure. What patterns do you notice about how they prepare or what they value?
application • medium - 4
When you can't sleep before a big day, what questions could you ask yourself to figure out what's really keeping you awake?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about the relationship between being true to yourself and feeling genuinely confident?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Sleep-Before-Big-Moments Pattern
Think of three major events in your life - job interviews, difficult conversations, important presentations, medical procedures, or family confrontations. For each one, write down whether you slept well or poorly the night before, then identify what you think caused that sleep pattern. Look for connections between your preparation level, how aligned you felt with your values, and your sleep quality.
Consider:
- •Consider both times when you were well-prepared and times when you felt unprepared
- •Notice whether acting against your values or trying to be someone you're not affected your sleep
- •Think about whether your anxiety came from things within your control or outside your control
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you surprised yourself by staying calm before a big moment. What had you done to prepare, and how were you staying true to your values? How could you recreate those conditions for future challenges?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 45: When to Strike and When to Wait
In the next chapter, you'll discover strategic patience can be more valuable than immediate action, and learn the bigger picture matters more than personal glory. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.