Summary
Montaigne presents a gallery of ancient Roman leaders who chose simplicity over luxury, even when they could afford anything. General Regulus, despite his military victories, owns only seven acres and worries when his farm hand steals his tools. Cato walks everywhere as governor, carries his own luggage, and brags about his ten-crown robe. Scipio travels with just seven servants after winning two major victories. These weren't poor men making do—they were the most powerful people in Rome deliberately choosing less. Montaigne shows us that their restraint wasn't about money but about values. They understood that how you handle abundance reveals more about your character than how you handle scarcity. Their simplicity became legendary precisely because it was chosen, not forced. In our culture of 'more is better,' these examples challenge us to consider what we actually need versus what we think we want. The Romans knew that the person who needs less is actually more powerful than the person who needs more. Their parsimony—careful use of resources—wasn't stinginess but wisdom. They recognized that every luxury creates a dependency, and dependencies make you vulnerable. By keeping their needs simple, they kept their freedom intact. Montaigne isn't advocating poverty but rather the kind of self-knowledge that comes from understanding the difference between enough and excess.
Coming Up in Chapter 53
Next, Montaigne examines a single powerful statement from Julius Caesar that reveals how the greatest leaders think about risk and opportunity. Sometimes the most profound wisdom comes in the fewest words.
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An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 300 words)
OF THE PARSIMONY OF THE ANCIENTS Attilius Regulus, general of the Roman army in Africa, in the height of all his glory and victories over the Carthaginians, wrote to the Republic to acquaint them that a certain hind he had left in trust with his estate, which was in all but seven acres of land, had run away with all his instruments of husbandry, and entreating therefore, that they would please to call him home that he might take order in his own affairs, lest his wife and children should suffer by this disaster. Whereupon the Senate appointed another to manage his business, caused his losses to be made good, and ordered his family to be maintained at the public expense. The elder Cato, returning consul from Spain, sold his warhorse to save the money it would have cost in bringing it back by sea into Italy; and being Governor of Sardinia, he made all his visits on foot, without other train than one officer of the Republic who carried his robe and a censer for sacrifices, and for the most part carried his trunk himself. He bragged that he had never worn a gown that cost above ten crowns, nor had ever sent above tenpence to the market for one day’s provision; and that as to his country houses, he had not one that was rough-cast on the outside. Scipio AEmilianus, after two triumphs and two consulships, went an embassy with no more than seven servants in his train. ‘Tis said that Homer had never more than one, Plato three, and Zeno, founder of the sect of Stoics, none at all. Tiberius Gracchus was allowed but fivepence halfpenny a day when employed as public minister about the public affairs, and being at that time the greatest man of Rome.
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Chosen Restraint
True power comes from deliberately choosing simplicity over luxury you can afford, because every luxury creates a dependency that can be used to control you.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize that real power often looks like the opposite of what we expect—simplicity rather than luxury, restraint rather than accumulation.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone's 'success' actually creates dependencies that limit their choices, and observe how people with fewer needs often have more freedom to speak truth or make bold moves.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Parsimony
Careful use of resources, choosing simplicity even when you can afford luxury. It's not about being cheap—it's about being intentional with what you need versus what you want.
Modern Usage:
We see this in people who drive older cars despite having money, or CEOs who fly coach instead of first class.
Roman Republic
The government system before the Roman Empire, where elected officials served the public good. These leaders were accountable to the Senate and the people, not just themselves.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how we expect elected officials to serve constituents rather than enrich themselves in office.
Consul
One of two chief executives elected annually in Rome, like a president but with a partner and a one-year term. The highest political office you could achieve.
Modern Usage:
Think of it like being President or Prime Minister—the top job everyone wants.
Triumph
A massive victory parade through Rome celebrating a general's military success. The ultimate honor—like winning the Super Bowl and getting a parade, but for conquering enemies.
Modern Usage:
We still have victory parades for championship teams or returning war heroes.
Public expense
Government funds used to support citizens in need. When Rome paid for Regulus's family, they were using taxpayer money to help a public servant.
Modern Usage:
Like how we provide benefits for military families or support government workers facing hardship.
Embassy
An official diplomatic mission to another country or region. Ambassadors represented Rome's interests and negotiated on behalf of the Republic.
Modern Usage:
Still exists today—when diplomats travel to negotiate treaties or represent their country abroad.
Characters in This Chapter
Attilius Regulus
Exemplary leader
A successful Roman general who owns only seven acres and panics when his farm hand steals his tools. Despite military victories, he lives so simply that one theft threatens his family's survival.
Modern Equivalent:
The decorated veteran who works a regular job and worries about making rent
Cato the Elder
Model of restraint
A consul and governor who walks everywhere, carries his own luggage, and brags about his cheap clothes. He deliberately chooses simplicity despite holding the highest offices in Rome.
Modern Equivalent:
The successful executive who drives a Honda and shops at Target
Scipio Aemilianus
Humble victor
After winning two major military victories and serving as consul twice, he travels on diplomatic missions with just seven servants—a tiny entourage for someone of his status.
Modern Equivalent:
The billionaire who flies commercial and carries his own bags
The Roman Senate
Supportive institution
When they learn of Regulus's financial troubles, they immediately step in to help—covering his losses and supporting his family. They recognize that public servants shouldn't suffer for their service.
Modern Equivalent:
A company that provides emergency assistance when employees face hardship
Key Quotes & Analysis
"He bragged that he had never worn a gown that cost above ten crowns, nor had ever sent above tenpence to the market for one day's provision"
Context: Montaigne describing Cato's deliberate simplicity despite his high position
Cato doesn't just live simply—he's proud of it. This shows that restraint was seen as a virtue worth celebrating, not something to hide or be ashamed of.
In Today's Words:
He was proud that his clothes were cheap and he spent almost nothing on groceries
"lest his wife and children should suffer by this disaster"
Context: The general explaining why he needs to come home after his servant steals his farming tools
Even Rome's most successful general lives so close to the edge that one theft threatens his family. This reveals how differently the ancients thought about wealth and security.
In Today's Words:
I'm worried my family won't have enough to get by
"sold his warhorse to save the money it would have cost in bringing it back by sea into Italy"
Context: Cato returning from his consulship in Spain
Rather than expense the government for shipping his horse, Cato sells it. He treats public money as more precious than his own convenience—the opposite of modern political behavior.
In Today's Words:
He sold his horse rather than make taxpayers pay to ship it home
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
The highest-status Romans deliberately lived like common citizens, showing that true class isn't about displaying wealth but about having the confidence to live simply
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might notice that the most secure people you know often live more simply than those still trying to prove their status
Identity
In This Chapter
These leaders defined themselves by their values and achievements rather than their possessions or lifestyle markers
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself defining your worth by what you own rather than who you are or what you contribute
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The Romans violated social expectations about how successful people should live, creating their own standards rather than following cultural norms
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might feel pressure to spend money on things that signal success rather than things that actually improve your life
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Self-restraint becomes a form of character development, where choosing less trains you to be stronger and more independent
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might discover that saying no to small luxuries makes it easier to say no to bigger temptations and bad decisions
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why did these powerful Roman generals choose to live so simply when they could afford luxury?
analysis • surface - 2
How does choosing less when you could have more actually increase your power and freedom?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today choosing simplicity despite having money, and what advantages does this give them?
application • medium - 4
Think about your own spending habits - what's one area where you could choose 'enough' instead of 'more' to increase your independence?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about the relationship between what we own and what owns us?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Dependencies
List five things you spend money on regularly that you could live without. For each item, identify what dependency it creates (time, maintenance, storage, etc.) and what freedom you might gain by eliminating it. Then choose one to experiment with cutting for a week.
Consider:
- •Consider both obvious expenses (subscription services) and hidden ones (convenience foods, impulse purchases)
- •Think about the time and mental energy each expense requires, not just the money
- •Notice which items you defend most strongly - those might be your biggest dependencies
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when having less money actually gave you more freedom or forced you to discover something valuable about yourself. What did that experience teach you about the relationship between resources and autonomy?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 53: Why We're Never Satisfied
What lies ahead teaches us our restless minds sabotage our own happiness, and shows us we fear the unknown more than real dangers. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.