Summary
Montaigne explores the delicate balance between curiosity and courtesy through stories of men who chose when—or when not—to read important messages. He praises Jacques Amyot, a translator who made complex Greek philosophy accessible to ordinary French readers, comparing good translation to good timing. The chapter's heart lies in examining what happened when powerful men delayed reading urgent letters. Rusticus politely waited until a speech ended before opening the emperor's message, earning applause for his manners. But Montaigne questions whether politeness can go too far. He shares cautionary tales: a commander nearly lost a city because he didn't want to interrupt dinner to read about a brewing conspiracy, and Julius Caesar might have survived his assassination if he'd read a warning note on his way to the Senate. The Greek tyrant Archias actually received detailed intelligence about the plot to kill him but casually said 'Business tomorrow'—words that became a proverb about fatal procrastination. Montaigne admits he's naturally incurious about others' affairs and never opens mail meant for someone else, but he draws a crucial distinction: personal restraint is admirable, but when you hold public responsibility, your private preferences can have deadly consequences. The essay reveals how social grace and personal duty sometimes conflict, and how the same behavior can be either wisdom or foolishness depending on context.
Coming Up in Chapter 62
Next, Montaigne turns inward to examine conscience—that inner voice that either condemns or absolves us. He'll explore whether guilt is a reliable guide to right and wrong, or if our moral compass sometimes points in dangerous directions.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
TO-MORROW’S A NEW DAY I give, as it seems to me, with good reason the palm to Jacques Amyot of all our French writers, not only for the simplicity and purity of his language, wherein he excels all others, nor for his constancy in going through so long a work, nor for the depth of his knowledge, having been able so successfully to smooth and unravel so knotty and intricate an author (for let people tell me what they will, I understand nothing of Greek; but I meet with sense so well united and maintained throughout his whole translation, that certainly he either knew the true fancy of the author, or having, by being long conversant with him, imprinted a vivid and general idea of that of Plutarch in his soul, he has delivered us nothing that either derogates from or contradicts him), but above all, I am the most taken with him for having made so discreet a choice of a book so worthy and of so great utility wherewith to present his country. We ignorant fellows had been lost, had not this book raised us out of the dirt; by this favour of his we dare now speak and write; the ladies are able to read to schoolmasters; ‘tis our breviary. If this good man be yet living, I would recommend to him Xenophon, to do as much by that; ‘tis a much more easy task than the other, and consequently more proper for his age. And, besides, though I know not how, methinks he does briskly--and clearly enough trip over steps another would have stumbled at, yet nevertheless his style seems to be more his own where he does not encounter those difficulties, and rolls away at his own ease. I was just now reading this passage where Plutarch says of himself, that Rusticus being present at a declamation of his at Rome, there received a packet from the emperor, and deferred to open it till all was done: for which, says he, all the company highly applauded the gravity of this person. ‘Tis true, that being upon the subject of curiosity and of that eager passion for news, which makes us with so much indiscretion and impatience leave all to entertain a newcomer, and without any manner of respect or outcry, tear open on a sudden, in what company soever, the letters that are delivered to us, he had reason to applaud the gravity of Rusticus upon this occasion; and might moreover have added to it the commendation of his civility and courtesy, that would not interrupt the current of his declamation. But I doubt whether any one can commend his prudence; for receiving unexpected letters, and especially from an emperor, it might have fallen out that the deferring to read them might have been of great prejudice. The vice opposite to curiosity is negligence, to which I naturally incline, and wherein I have seen some men so extreme that one might have found letters sent...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Misplaced Priorities
Using social grace and personal preferences to justify delaying urgent action that falls within our sphere of responsibility.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish between appropriate courtesy and dangerous avoidance that puts others at risk.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you delay opening messages or addressing issues because it feels more polite—then ask yourself who might be affected by your delay.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Breviary
A book of prayers and readings that priests carried everywhere for daily use. Montaigne calls Plutarch's work 'our breviary' because it became essential daily reading for educated people. It was the go-to guide for wisdom and moral guidance.
Modern Usage:
We still talk about our 'daily reads' or reference books we turn to for guidance—like how some people check their horoscope or motivational quotes every morning.
Translation as cultural bridge
The idea that good translators don't just convert words—they make foreign wisdom accessible to their own people. Amyot made Greek philosophy understandable to French readers who would never have accessed it otherwise. This opened up whole new ways of thinking.
Modern Usage:
Today we see this when someone explains complex topics in simple terms—like financial advisors breaking down investment strategies or doctors explaining medical procedures in plain English.
Fatal procrastination
The dangerous habit of putting off urgent matters, especially when you hold responsibility for others. Montaigne shows how delaying important decisions can have deadly consequences. It's the difference between personal preference and public duty.
Modern Usage:
We see this when managers ignore warning signs about workplace safety, or when people in authority positions delay addressing serious problems because it's inconvenient.
Courtesy versus duty
The conflict between being polite and being responsible. Sometimes good manners can prevent you from doing what needs to be done. Montaigne explores when social grace becomes a liability.
Modern Usage:
This shows up when people don't speak up about problems at work to avoid seeming rude, or when someone doesn't interrupt a meeting to share urgent news.
Public versus private behavior
The idea that what's acceptable in your personal life might be dangerous in your professional role. Personal restraint can become professional negligence when others depend on you.
Modern Usage:
A nurse who's naturally laid-back might need to be more urgent about patient concerns, or a naturally private person might need to share information when they're in management.
Contextual wisdom
Understanding that the same action can be smart or foolish depending on the situation. What works in one context might be disastrous in another. Timing and circumstances matter more than rigid rules.
Modern Usage:
Being honest is usually good, but not when you're planning a surprise party—the same principle applies to knowing when to bend your usual approach based on what's at stake.
Characters in This Chapter
Jacques Amyot
Cultural translator and hero
The French translator who made Plutarch's complex Greek philosophy accessible to ordinary French readers. Montaigne praises him for choosing such an important work to translate and doing it so well that it became essential reading for everyone, including women and students.
Modern Equivalent:
The teacher who makes difficult subjects understandable to regular people
Rusticus
The polite courtier
A man who received an urgent message from the emperor but politely waited until a speech ended before reading it, earning applause for his good manners. He represents courtesy taken to appropriate lengths.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who puts their phone on silent during meetings but checks urgent messages right after
Julius Caesar
The tragic victim of timing
The Roman leader who might have survived his assassination if he had read a warning note he received on his way to the Senate. He represents how fatal it can be to delay reading urgent information when you're in a position of power.
Modern Equivalent:
The CEO who ignores warning emails and gets blindsided by a crisis
Archias
The ultimate procrastinator
The Greek tyrant who received detailed information about a plot to kill him but casually said 'Business tomorrow' and never read it. He was murdered that night, making his words a famous proverb about deadly delay.
Modern Equivalent:
The manager who keeps saying 'I'll deal with that Monday' about serious workplace issues
The unnamed commander
The dinner-prioritizing leader
A military leader who nearly lost his city because he didn't want to interrupt his dinner to read about a brewing conspiracy. He shows how personal comfort can override professional responsibility with dangerous results.
Modern Equivalent:
The supervisor who doesn't want to be bothered with 'work stuff' during their break, even when it's urgent
Key Quotes & Analysis
"We ignorant fellows had been lost, had not this book raised us out of the dirt"
Context: Montaigne praising Amyot's translation of Plutarch for making wisdom accessible to ordinary people
This shows Montaigne's humility and his belief that good books can transform people's lives. He credits the translator with lifting up his entire generation by making complex ideas understandable. It reveals his democratic view that wisdom shouldn't be hoarded by elites.
In Today's Words:
We regular folks would still be clueless if this book hadn't shown us how to think better
"Business tomorrow"
Context: The tyrant's casual response when handed urgent intelligence about a plot to kill him
These two words became a famous warning about the dangers of procrastination. They show how deadly it can be to treat urgent matters casually when you're in a position of responsibility. The irony is that he had no tomorrow.
In Today's Words:
I'll deal with this later
"I am naturally little curious of other men's writings that are not directed to me"
Context: Montaigne describing his personal habit of not reading others' mail or prying into private affairs
This reveals Montaigne's respect for privacy and his natural discretion. But he uses this personal trait to highlight the difference between private restraint and public responsibility. What's admirable in personal life can be dangerous in professional roles.
In Today's Words:
I mind my own business and don't snoop through stuff that's not meant for me
Thematic Threads
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Montaigne examines how social politeness can conflict with practical necessity, showing that courtesy becomes dangerous when it prevents urgent action
Development
Deepens from earlier discussions of social performance to explore when social rules become harmful
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you avoid difficult conversations at work because you don't want to seem pushy, even when patient safety is at stake
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
The essay demonstrates self-awareness about natural tendencies—Montaigne admits his own lack of curiosity while recognizing when this trait becomes problematic
Development
Builds on ongoing theme of honest self-examination by showing how to evaluate personal traits in context
In Your Life:
You might see this when you realize your natural conflict-avoidance serves you in personal relationships but hurts you in supervisory roles
Class
In This Chapter
The chapter contrasts personal restraint (a luxury of private citizens) with public duty (the burden of those with power and responsibility)
Development
Expands class analysis to show how different social positions require different behavioral standards
In Your Life:
You might experience this tension when your role as charge nurse requires you to address problems you'd personally prefer to ignore
Identity
In This Chapter
Shows how the same behavior (not reading others' messages) can define you as either respectful or negligent depending on your role and circumstances
Development
Continues exploration of how context shapes the meaning of our actions and who we become through them
In Your Life:
You might struggle with this when your identity as a 'nice person' conflicts with your professional duty to enforce difficult policies
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Explores the balance between respecting others' privacy and fulfilling obligations to their welfare, showing how relationships create responsibilities
Development
Develops the theme by examining how our duties to others should influence our personal boundaries
In Your Life:
You might face this when you want to respect your adult child's independence but worry about signs of serious problems they're not sharing
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What happened to the men who delayed reading urgent messages, and what were their reasons for waiting?
analysis • surface - 2
Why did Montaigne praise Rusticus for waiting to read his message but criticize the others for their delays?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people using politeness or personal boundaries as excuses to avoid dealing with urgent problems at work or home?
application • medium - 4
How do you decide when to respect social norms versus when to break them for something more important?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about how we use 'good reasons' to justify avoiding things that make us uncomfortable?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Response Zones
Draw three circles labeled 'Personal Curiosity,' 'Social Politeness,' and 'Critical Responsibility.' List situations from your life in each circle. Then identify one situation where you might be using politeness or boundaries to avoid something that actually requires immediate attention.
Consider:
- •Consider who depends on your response in each situation
- •Think about times when your comfort came before others' safety or wellbeing
- •Notice the difference between healthy boundaries and harmful avoidance
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you delayed dealing with something important because it felt awkward or uncomfortable. What happened as a result, and how would you handle it differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 62: The Weight of a Guilty Conscience
The coming pages reveal guilt reveals itself through behavior even when we try to hide it, and teach us torture and coercion produce unreliable confessions. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.