Summary
Montaigne takes aim at people who use big words and fancy talk to make themselves sound more important than they are. He starts with ancient rhetoricians who bragged about making small things seem big, then moves to his own kitchen servant who described cooking with the same pompous language used to discuss running an empire. The essay reveals how flowery speech often masks shallow thinking or outright deception. Montaigne argues that truly stable societies—like ancient Sparta—valued plain speaking over eloquent manipulation. He shows how rhetoric flourishes most in chaotic times when people can be easily swayed by beautiful words rather than solid reasoning. The chapter includes amusing examples: architects using grandiose terms for basic building parts, grammarians making simple figures of speech sound exotic, and modern people carelessly throwing around titles that ancient civilizations reserved for truly exceptional individuals. Montaigne's central point cuts deep: when we dress up simple ideas in complicated language, we're usually trying to hide something or impress someone rather than communicate clearly. This matters because in our daily lives—from workplace meetings to political speeches to social media—we're constantly bombarded by people using impressive-sounding words to mask weak arguments or manipulate our emotions. Learning to see through verbal smoke screens helps us make better decisions and avoid being led astray by smooth talkers.
Coming Up in Chapter 52
Next, Montaigne examines how the ancients approached money and material possessions, revealing surprising wisdom about living with less in an age of excess.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
F THE VANITY OF WORDS A rhetorician of times past said, that to make little things appear great was his profession. This was a shoemaker, who can make a great shoe for a little foot.--[A saying of Agesilaus.]--They would in Sparta have sent such a fellow to be whipped for making profession of a tricky and deceitful act; and I fancy that Archidamus, who was king of that country, was a little surprised at the answer of Thucydides, when inquiring of him, which was the better wrestler, Pericles, or he, he replied, that it was hard to affirm; for when I have thrown him, said he, he always persuades the spectators that he had no fall and carries away the prize. --[Quintilian, ii. 15.]--The women who paint, pounce, and plaster up their ruins, filling up their wrinkles and deformities, are less to blame, because it is no great matter whether we see them in their natural complexions; whereas these make it their business to deceive not our sight only but our judgments, and to adulterate and corrupt the very essence of things. The republics that have maintained themselves in a regular and well-modelled government, such as those of Lacedaemon and Crete, had orators in no very great esteem. Aristo wisely defined rhetoric to be “a science to persuade the people;” Socrates and Plato “an art to flatter and deceive.” And those who deny it in the general description, verify it throughout in their precepts. The Mohammedans will not suffer their children to be instructed in it, as being useless, and the Athenians, perceiving of how pernicious consequence the practice of it was, it being in their city of universal esteem, ordered the principal part, which is to move the affections, with their exordiums and perorations, to be taken away. ‘Tis an engine invented to manage and govern a disorderly and tumultuous rabble, and that never is made use of, but like physic to the sick, in a discomposed state. In those where the vulgar or the ignorant, or both together, have been all-powerful and able to give the law, as in those of Athens, Rhodes, and Rome, and where the public affairs have been in a continual tempest of commotion, to such places have the orators always repaired. And in truth, we shall find few persons in those republics who have pushed their fortunes to any great degree of eminence without the assistance of eloquence. Pompey, Caesar, Crassus, Lucullus, Lentulus, Metellus, thence took their chiefest spring, to mount to that degree of authority at which they at last arrived, making it of greater use to them than arms, contrary to the opinion of better times; for, L. Volumnius speaking publicly in favour of the election of Q. Fabius and Pub. Decius, to the consular dignity: “These are men,” said he, “born for war and great in execution; in the combat of the tongue altogether wanting; spirits truly consular. The subtle, eloquent, and learned are only good for the city, to...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Verbal Smoke Screens
Using unnecessarily complex language to mask insecurity, shallow thinking, or weak arguments.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when someone uses complex language to hide weak ideas or mask their own uncertainty.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when people use unnecessarily fancy words—ask yourself what they're really saying and what they might be trying to hide.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Rhetoric
The art of persuasive speaking or writing, often focused more on sounding impressive than being truthful. In Montaigne's time, professional rhetoricians taught people how to make weak arguments sound strong through fancy language and emotional appeals.
Modern Usage:
We see this in political speeches, sales pitches, and corporate jargon that sounds important but says nothing concrete.
Lacedaemon
Another name for Sparta, the ancient Greek city-state famous for its military discipline and rejection of luxury. Spartans valued direct action and plain speaking over flowery words or elaborate ceremonies.
Modern Usage:
We use 'Spartan' today to describe anything simple, disciplined, and no-nonsense.
Sophistry
Clever but misleading arguments that sound logical on the surface but are designed to deceive rather than discover truth. Ancient sophists were teachers who could argue either side of any issue for money.
Modern Usage:
This shows up in internet debates where people twist words to 'win' arguments rather than actually solve problems.
Oratory
The skill of public speaking, especially formal speeches designed to move audiences emotionally. In ancient times, good orators could sway entire cities to war or peace through their words alone.
Modern Usage:
Modern politicians, televangelists, and motivational speakers use these same techniques to influence crowds.
Decorum
Proper behavior and appropriate language for each situation. Montaigne criticizes people who use grand language for simple things, violating the principle that your words should match the importance of your subject.
Modern Usage:
This is like using corporate buzzwords in casual conversation or calling every minor inconvenience a 'tragedy.'
Pedantry
Showing off your knowledge in an annoying way, especially by using unnecessarily complex words when simple ones would do. Montaigne sees this as a form of vanity that gets in the way of real communication.
Modern Usage:
Think of people who use medical jargon to sound smart or academics who can't explain their ideas in plain English.
Characters in This Chapter
The rhetorician
Negative example
An ancient teacher who bragged about making small things appear great through clever language. Montaigne uses him to show how rhetoric can be a tool for deception rather than truth-telling.
Modern Equivalent:
The smooth-talking salesperson who makes a basic product sound revolutionary
Archidamus
Spartan king
King of Sparta who was surprised when Thucydides said Pericles could convince people he won wrestling matches even when he lost. Represents the Spartan preference for plain truth over persuasive lies.
Modern Equivalent:
The straightforward boss who's baffled by office politics and spin
Thucydides
Truth-teller
Ancient historian who pointed out how Pericles could use words to rewrite reality, making losses look like victories. Shows how dangerous skilled speakers can be to honest judgment.
Modern Equivalent:
The colleague who calls out how the company spins bad news into 'opportunities'
Montaigne's kitchen servant
Comic example
Uses the same grandiose language to describe cooking that others use for running empires. Montaigne finds this both amusing and telling about how inflated language spreads through society.
Modern Equivalent:
The barista who describes making coffee like they're performing surgery
Socrates and Plato
Philosophical authorities
Ancient philosophers who defined rhetoric as flattery and deception rather than genuine wisdom. Montaigne uses their authority to support his argument against fancy talk.
Modern Equivalent:
The respected mentors who warn you about smooth talkers
Key Quotes & Analysis
"to make little things appear great was his profession"
Context: A teacher of rhetoric describing his job with pride
This quote captures the entire problem Montaigne sees with fancy language - it's designed to inflate rather than illuminate. The rhetorician isn't ashamed of being a professional exaggerator; he's proud of it.
In Today's Words:
My job is to make mountains out of molehills
"when I have thrown him, he always persuades the spectators that he had no fall and carries away the prize"
Context: Explaining how Pericles could talk his way out of losing a wrestling match
This shows the ultimate power and danger of skilled rhetoric - it can literally rewrite reality in people's minds. Physical facts become less important than verbal skill.
In Today's Words:
Even when he loses, he talks everyone into thinking he won
"The women who paint, pounce, and plaster up their ruins, filling up their wrinkles and deformities, are less to blame"
Context: Comparing cosmetics to rhetorical deception
Montaigne argues that makeup only deceives the eye, but fancy rhetoric deceives our judgment about important matters. One is vanity, the other is dangerous manipulation.
In Today's Words:
At least makeup only fools your eyes - smooth talkers fool your brain
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Montaigne shows how fancy language becomes a class marker—people use big words to seem more educated or important than they are
Development
Building on earlier observations about social pretension, now focusing specifically on language as a class performance
In Your Life:
You might notice coworkers using jargon to sound more professional or people name-dropping concepts they don't really understand
Identity
In This Chapter
People construct false identities through verbal complexity, becoming the roles they perform rather than expressing who they actually are
Development
Extends previous themes about authentic self-expression versus social performance
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself using professional buzzwords or medical terminology to sound more competent than you feel
Deception
In This Chapter
Complex language often serves to deceive—either others about our knowledge or ourselves about our understanding
Development
Introduced here as a specific form of self and social deception
In Your Life:
You might recognize when politicians or salespeople use impressive words to avoid giving straight answers
Communication
In This Chapter
True communication requires clarity and simplicity, while verbal showboating actually prevents real understanding
Development
Introduced here as contrast between genuine and performative communication
In Your Life:
You might realize that your clearest conversations happen when both people speak simply and directly
Power
In This Chapter
Language becomes a tool for claiming authority and status, especially when actual expertise is lacking
Development
New angle on power dynamics—how words themselves become weapons of social positioning
In Your Life:
You might notice how some people use complex language to shut down questions or make others feel stupid
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What examples does Montaigne give of people using fancy language to make themselves sound more important?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Montaigne think people resort to complex language when simple words would work better?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you encounter unnecessarily complicated language in your daily life - at work, in news, or on social media?
application • medium - 4
How can you tell the difference between someone who genuinely knows their subject and someone who's hiding behind big words?
application • deep - 5
What does our tendency to be impressed by fancy language reveal about human psychology and social dynamics?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Translate the Jargon
Find an example of unnecessarily complex language from your workplace, a news article, or social media. Write down the original version, then translate it into plain English that a middle schooler could understand. Compare what's actually being said versus how impressive it originally sounded.
Consider:
- •Does the message lose any real meaning when simplified?
- •What might the original speaker be trying to hide or accomplish?
- •How does your reaction change when you strip away the fancy packaging?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you used more complex language than necessary. What were you really trying to accomplish, and how did it feel?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 52: When Less Is More
Next, Montaigne examines how the ancients approached money and material possessions, revealing surprising wisdom about living with less in an age of excess.
