Summary
Montaigne tackles the thorny question of how we pray and why most of us are doing it wrong. He argues that we've turned prayer into a kind of magical thinking—crossing ourselves while plotting harm, asking God to bless our worst impulses, treating sacred words like lucky charms. The real problem isn't that we don't pray enough, but that we pray with dirty hands and unchanged hearts. Montaigne observes how people compartmentalize their lives: one hour for God, the rest for the devil, as if they can balance the books through ritual alone. He's particularly critical of how we've made sacred texts casual entertainment, reading scripture like gossip rather than approaching it with the reverence it deserves. The essay reveals Montaigne's belief that true prayer requires inner transformation, not just outer performance. He suggests that perhaps we should pray less frequently but more authentically, ensuring our souls are actually prepared for the conversation we claim to want with the divine. This isn't about religious rules but about integrity—the dangerous gap between what we say we believe and how we actually live. Montaigne shows how this disconnect doesn't just make us hypocrites; it makes our spiritual practices meaningless theater that helps no one, least of all ourselves.
Coming Up in Chapter 57
Having examined how we misuse the sacred in prayer, Montaigne turns to the passage of time itself, exploring what it means to grow old and how age changes our relationship with wisdom, regret, and the approach of death.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
OF PRAYERS I propose formless and undetermined fancies, like those who publish doubtful questions, to be after a disputed upon in the schools, not to establish truth but to seek it; and I submit them to the judgments of those whose office it is to regulate, not my writings and actions only, but moreover my very thoughts. Let what I here set down meet with correction or applause, it shall be of equal welcome and utility to me, myself beforehand condemning as absurd and impious, if anything shall be found, through ignorance or inadvertency, couched in this rhapsody, contrary to the holy resolutions and prescriptions of the Catholic Apostolic and Roman Church, into which I was born and in which I will die. And yet, always submitting to the authority of their censure, which has an absolute power over me, I thus rashly venture at everything, as in treating upon this present subject. I know not if or no I am wrong, but since, by a particular favour of the divine bounty, a certain form of prayer has been prescribed and dictated to us, word by word, from the mouth of God Himself, I have ever been of opinion that we ought to have it in more frequent use than we yet have; and if I were worthy to advise, at the sitting down to and rising from our tables, at our rising from and going to bed, and in every particular action wherein prayer is used, I would that Christians always make use of the Lord’s Prayer, if not alone, yet at least always. The Church may lengthen and diversify prayers, according to the necessity of our instruction, for I know very well that it is always the same in substance and the same thing: but yet such a privilege ought to be given to that prayer, that the people should have it continually in their mouths; for it is most certain that all necessary petitions are comprehended in it, and that it is infinitely proper for all occasions. ‘Tis the only prayer I use in all places and conditions, and which I still repeat instead of changing; whence it also happens that I have no other so entirely by heart as that. It just now came into my mind, whence it is we should derive that error of having recourse to God in all our designs and enterprises, to call Him to our assistance in all sorts of affairs, and in all places where our weakness stands in need of support, without considering whether the occasion be just or otherwise; and to invoke His name and power, in what state soever we are, or action we are engaged in, howsoever vicious. He is indeed, our sole and unique protector, and can do all things for us: but though He is pleased to honour us with this sweet paternal alliance, He is, notwithstanding, as just as He is good and mighty; and more often exercises His justice than His...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Sacred Performance
Using the rituals and language of virtue to justify or disguise vice, mistaking symbolic observance for actual transformation.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to spot when people (including yourself) use virtuous language to justify questionable behavior.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone's actions contradict their stated values, especially in yourself—ask 'Am I using noble words to avoid noble actions?'
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Catholic Apostolic and Roman Church
The formal name for the Catholic Church that Montaigne uses to show his official allegiance. In his time, questioning religious practices could get you killed, so writers had to be very careful about how they criticized the church while staying technically orthodox.
Modern Usage:
Like how people preface controversial opinions with 'I'm not racist, but...' or 'I support the troops, but...' to avoid backlash.
Divine bounty
God's generous gifts to humanity, particularly referring to the Lord's Prayer that Jesus taught directly. Montaigne uses this phrase to emphasize that we have a perfect prayer already given to us, so why do we mess it up with our own additions?
Modern Usage:
When we have clear instructions but still try to improve on them, like adding extra steps to a recipe that already works perfectly.
Rhapsody
Montaigne's humble word for his own writing - literally meaning a miscellaneous collection of thoughts. He's being modest about his essays, calling them random musings rather than authoritative teachings.
Modern Usage:
Like calling your carefully thought-out social media post 'just some random thoughts' to avoid seeming preachy.
Magical thinking
The belief that performing certain rituals or saying certain words will automatically produce results, regardless of your intentions or actions. Montaigne criticizes people who think crossing themselves while planning evil somehow balances out.
Modern Usage:
Like thinking positive affirmations will fix your life while you continue making the same bad choices.
Compartmentalization
The practice of keeping different parts of your life completely separate, especially keeping religious beliefs separate from daily behavior. Montaigne sees this as spiritual dishonesty.
Modern Usage:
Like being a completely different person at church than you are at work or on social media.
Sacred profanity
Montaigne's concept of making holy things common or casual. He's concerned about people treating prayer and scripture like background noise rather than something that deserves focused attention.
Modern Usage:
Like having deep, meaningful songs playing while you scroll through your phone - you're not really listening.
Characters in This Chapter
Montaigne
Reflective narrator
The author examining his own prayer life and that of others around him. He admits his own failures while questioning common religious practices, trying to find authentic spirituality in a world of empty ritual.
Modern Equivalent:
The honest friend who calls out everyone's BS, including their own
The casual pray-er
Negative example
Montaigne's composite character of people who pray automatically while living contradictory lives. They cross themselves while plotting harm, ask God's blessing on selfish desires, and treat sacred words like magic spells.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who posts Bible verses while gossiping in the comments
God
Silent authority
Present throughout as the one who gave humanity perfect prayer in the Lord's Prayer. Montaigne suggests God must be frustrated watching people overcomplicate what was meant to be simple and pure.
Modern Equivalent:
The parent who gave clear, simple instructions that the kids keep trying to 'improve'
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I have ever been of opinion that we ought to have it in more frequent use than we yet have"
Context: Discussing how rarely people actually use the Lord's Prayer that Jesus taught
Montaigne points out the irony that we have a perfect prayer given directly by God, yet we prefer our own improvised versions. This reveals how humans tend to complicate what should be simple.
In Today's Words:
We have the perfect template but keep trying to reinvent the wheel.
"We make the sign of the cross while our hearts are full of revenge"
Context: Criticizing people who perform religious rituals while harboring evil intentions
This exposes the dangerous gap between outward religious performance and inner spiritual reality. Montaigne shows how ritual without transformation becomes meaningless theater.
In Today's Words:
We go through the motions while our hearts are in completely the wrong place.
"We pray with unclean hands and impure hearts"
Context: Explaining why most prayer is ineffective or even offensive to God
Montaigne argues that the problem isn't lack of prayer but lack of preparation. True prayer requires inner cleansing first, not just the right words or gestures.
In Today's Words:
We're trying to have a serious conversation while we're still covered in mud.
"We treat the sacred writings as common entertainment"
Context: Criticizing how people casually read scripture without reverence
Montaigne sees a problem with making holy texts too accessible, where they become background noise rather than transformative encounters. Familiarity has bred contempt.
In Today's Words:
We've turned the most important book into casual reading material.
Thematic Threads
Identity
In This Chapter
Montaigne exposes how we construct false identities through religious performance while our true character remains unchanged
Development
Builds on earlier themes of self-deception, now focusing specifically on spiritual identity versus lived reality
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you realize your public values don't match your private choices
Class
In This Chapter
Shows how social class affects religious practice—the wealthy using charity as social performance while exploiting workers
Development
Continues Montaigne's examination of how class shapes moral behavior and social expectations
In Your Life:
You might see this in how differently people practice their stated values based on their social position
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Reveals how religious conformity becomes social theater, performed for others rather than genuine spiritual practice
Development
Deepens the theme of performing for social acceptance rather than living authentically
In Your Life:
You might notice this when you find yourself going through motions to meet others' expectations rather than your own beliefs
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Argues that real spiritual development requires inner transformation, not just external compliance with religious forms
Development
Advances Montaigne's belief that growth comes from honest self-examination rather than following prescribed formulas
In Your Life:
You might apply this by focusing on actual behavior change rather than just good intentions or public commitments
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Shows how compartmentalized spirituality damages relationships—praying for enemies while plotting against friends
Development
Extends earlier observations about authenticity in relationships to include spiritual hypocrisy
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you notice treating people differently based on social context rather than consistent values
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
According to Montaigne, what's the difference between performing religious rituals and actually living by religious values?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Montaigne think we compartmentalize our lives into 'sacred time' and 'regular time'—and what problems does this create?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today using the language of their highest values while acting according to their lowest impulses?
application • medium - 4
How would you recognize when you're performing virtue instead of practicing it, and what would you do about it?
application • deep - 5
What does this essay reveal about why it's so easy for humans to deceive themselves about their own character?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Audit Your Sacred Performance
List three values you claim to hold deeply (honesty, kindness, justice, etc.). For each value, write down one specific action you took this week that supported it, and one that contradicted it. Look for patterns where your words and actions don't align—these gaps reveal where you might be performing virtue instead of practicing it.
Consider:
- •Be honest about small contradictions, not just big ones—they reveal the same pattern
- •Notice if you justify contradictory behavior with special circumstances or exceptions
- •Consider whether your rituals or public statements about values are covering for private failures
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you caught yourself using the language of your values to justify behavior that actually violated them. What was really driving that choice, and how might you handle it differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 57: The Reality of Life's Brevity
The coming pages reveal planning for old age is statistically unrealistic, and teach us to make peace with life's unpredictable timeline. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.