Summary
Montaigne tackles the criticism that only famous people should write about themselves. He argues that his writing isn't meant for public squares or grand audiences—it's like having a private conversation with a friend in a library corner. He's not boasting because he doesn't think he's particularly impressive; instead, he's being honest about his ordinariness. This honesty, he argues, is what makes his writing valuable. He explains how writing about himself has actually improved him—like posing for a portrait forces you to sit up straighter. The process of examining his own thoughts and actions has made him more self-aware and deliberate in how he lives. Montaigne then shifts to a broader meditation on lying, calling it the most destructive vice because it breaks down the basic trust that allows society to function. When people lie, they're showing contempt for God while being cowardly toward other humans. He notes how strangely obsessed his culture has become with accusations of lying, suggesting this obsession reveals how common lying has become. Ancient Greeks and Romans, he observes, could insult each other freely without the elaborate codes of honor that now surround accusations of dishonesty. The chapter reveals Montaigne's core belief that authentic self-examination and honest communication are fundamental to both personal growth and social cohesion.
Coming Up in Chapter 75
Next, Montaigne explores one of the most dangerous topics of his era—religious freedom and the right to believe differently. In an age of religious wars, he'll examine whether tolerance is possible and what it costs to think for yourself.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
F GIVING THE LIE Well, but some one will say to me, this design of making a man’s self the subject of his writing, were indeed excusable in rare and famous men, who by their reputation had given others a curiosity to be fully informed of them. It is most true, I confess and know very well, that a mechanic will scarce lift his eyes from his work to look at an ordinary man, whereas a man will forsake his business and his shop to stare at an eminent person when he comes into a town. It misbecomes any other to give his own character, but him who has qualities worthy of imitation, and whose life and opinions may serve for example: Caesar and Xenophon had a just and solid foundation whereon to found their narrations, the greatness of their own performances; and were to be wished that we had the journals of Alexander the Great, the commentaries that Augustus, Cato, Sylla, Brutus, and others left of their actions; of such persons men love and contemplate the very statues even in copper and marble. This remonstrance is very true; but it very little concerns me: “Non recito cuiquam, nisi amicis, idque coactus; Non ubivis, coramve quibuslibet, in medio qui Scripta foro recitant, sunt multi, quique lavantes.” [“I repeat my poems only to my friends, and when bound to do so; not before every one and everywhere; there are plenty of reciters in the open market-place and at the baths.”--Horace, sat. i. 4, 73.] I do not here form a statue to erect in the great square of a city, in a church, or any public place: “Non equidem hoc studeo, bullatis ut mihi nugis, Pagina turgescat...... Secreti loquimur:” [“I study not to make my pages swell with empty trifles; you and I are talking in private.”--Persius, Sat., v. 19.] ‘tis for some corner of a library, or to entertain a neighbour, a kinsman, a friend, who has a mind to renew his acquaintance and familiarity with me in this image of myself. Others have been encouraged to speak of themselves, because they found the subject worthy and rich; I, on the contrary, am the bolder, by reason the subject is so poor and sterile that I cannot be suspected of ostentation. I judge freely of the actions of others; I give little of my own to judge of, because they are nothing: I do not find so much good in myself, that I cannot tell it without blushing. What contentment would it not be to me to hear any one thus relate to me the manners, faces, countenances, the ordinary words and fortunes of my ancestors? how attentively should I listen to it! In earnest, it would be evil nature to despise so much as the pictures of our friends and predecessors, the fashion of their clothes and arms. I preserve their writing, seal, and a particular sword they wore, and have not thrown the long staves my father used...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Authentic Authority
True authority and influence come from honest self-examination and admitting limitations, not from projecting false perfection.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish between people who influence through genuine expertise versus those who manipulate through pretense and lies.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone deflects questions, embellishes credentials, or gets defensive about their expertise—these are signs of false authority that will eventually collapse.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Self-portraiture in writing
The practice of making yourself the main subject of your writing, examining your own thoughts, experiences, and character flaws. Montaigne pioneered this approach, arguing that honest self-examination could be as valuable as studying famous historical figures.
Modern Usage:
We see this in memoirs, personal essays, and social media posts where people share authentic struggles rather than just highlights.
The lie direct
A formal accusation of lying that was considered one of the gravest insults in Montaigne's time. It often led to duels because it questioned not just someone's honesty but their entire honor and social standing.
Modern Usage:
Today we see similar reactions when someone's credibility is publicly challenged on social media or in politics.
Mechanical trades
Manual laborers and craftspeople who were considered lower class in Montaigne's society. He uses them as examples of people who wouldn't normally be expected to write about themselves or be subjects of public interest.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how we might assume a factory worker's life story wouldn't be as 'interesting' as a celebrity's, though this assumption is increasingly challenged.
Classical exemplars
Famous figures from ancient Greece and Rome like Caesar and Xenophon who were considered worthy of study and imitation. Their lives were seen as proper subjects for literature because of their great achievements.
Modern Usage:
We still look to successful people as role models, though we're more likely to follow entrepreneurs or influencers than military leaders.
Vice of the age
Montaigne's term for what he saw as the particular moral failing of his time period. He identified lying and accusations of lying as the defining corruption of 16th-century French society.
Modern Usage:
Every generation identifies its own 'vice of the age' - today it might be social media addiction or political polarization.
Self-reformation through writing
Montaigne's belief that the act of examining and writing about yourself actually improves your character. Like posing for a portrait makes you sit up straighter, self-reflection makes you more deliberate about your choices.
Modern Usage:
This is the principle behind journaling, therapy, and self-help practices that encourage honest self-examination.
Characters in This Chapter
Montaigne
Self-examining narrator
Defends his choice to write about his ordinary self rather than famous heroes. He argues that his honesty about his flaws and ordinariness makes his writing valuable, not despite being unremarkable but because of it.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who shares real struggles on social media instead of just perfect moments
Caesar
Classical exemplar
Represents the type of famous historical figure who traditionally was considered worthy of writing about himself. Montaigne acknowledges Caesar had 'just foundation' for self-narration due to his great achievements.
Modern Equivalent:
The successful CEO who writes a bestselling memoir
Xenophon
Classical exemplar
Another ancient writer who recorded his own experiences and was considered worthy of doing so because of his notable accomplishments and philosophical insights.
Modern Equivalent:
The thought leader whose personal story becomes a business book
The mechanic
Ordinary person
Represents common working people who wouldn't normally attract public attention or be considered worthy subjects for literature. Montaigne uses this figure to acknowledge class prejudices about whose stories matter.
Modern Equivalent:
The blue-collar worker whose story gets overlooked in favor of celebrity news
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I repeat my poems only to my friends, and when bound to do so; not before every one and everywhere"
Context: Defending his choice to write about himself by explaining he's not seeking public fame
This quote reveals Montaigne's understanding that intimate, honest writing works best in smaller, trusted circles rather than as public performance. He's positioning his essays as conversations with friends rather than speeches in the town square.
In Today's Words:
I'm not posting this for likes or going viral - I'm sharing with people who actually care.
"This design of making a man's self the subject of his writing, were indeed excusable in rare and famous men"
Context: Acknowledging the criticism that only important people should write about themselves
Montaigne presents the conventional wisdom that autobiography belongs to the famous, then proceeds to challenge this assumption. This sets up his argument that ordinary self-examination can be just as valuable.
In Today's Words:
People think only celebrities and important people should write memoirs or talk about themselves.
"There is no vice that does so much harm as lying"
Context: Transitioning from self-portraiture to a broader discussion of honesty in society
This connects his personal practice of honest self-examination to larger social concerns. Montaigne sees lying as fundamentally destructive to human relationships and society itself.
In Today's Words:
Nothing messes up relationships and society more than people not telling the truth.
Thematic Threads
Authenticity
In This Chapter
Montaigne argues his ordinariness and honest self-examination make his writing valuable, not impressive credentials
Development
Builds on earlier themes of self-knowledge, now showing authenticity as source of authority
In Your Life:
You might notice how people trust you more when you admit mistakes rather than trying to appear perfect
Self-Improvement
In This Chapter
Writing about himself has actually improved Montaigne—self-examination forces better behavior like posing for a portrait
Development
Develops from earlier introspection themes, now showing practical benefits of self-awareness
In Your Life:
You might find that honestly examining your own patterns helps you recognize and change them
Social Trust
In This Chapter
Lying destroys the basic trust that allows society to function—it shows contempt for God and cowardice toward humans
Development
Introduced here as foundation of all social relationships
In Your Life:
You might notice how small lies in relationships create distance while honesty builds deeper connection
Class Expectations
In This Chapter
Critics say only famous people should write about themselves—Montaigne rejects this hierarchical thinking
Development
Continues challenging social hierarchies, now about who deserves to have a voice
In Your Life:
You might recognize when others suggest your experiences or thoughts aren't worth sharing because of your background
Cultural Corruption
In This Chapter
Modern obsession with accusations of lying reveals how common dishonesty has become in society
Development
Builds on earlier observations about social decay, now focusing on breakdown of basic honesty
In Your Life:
You might notice how defensive people get about honesty because lying has become so normalized
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Montaigne think it's okay for ordinary people to write about themselves, not just famous figures?
analysis • surface - 2
How does Montaigne explain that writing about himself actually made him a better person?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today building false authority through pretense versus authentic authority through honesty?
application • medium - 4
When someone at work or in your family always has to be right and never admits mistakes, how do you navigate that relationship?
application • deep - 5
Why do you think people trust someone who admits their flaws more than someone who pretends to be perfect?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Test Your Authority Style
Think about a recent situation where you needed to establish credibility or authority - maybe explaining something to a coworker, giving advice to a friend, or handling a problem with your kids. Write down exactly what you said and did. Then rewrite that same interaction using Montaigne's approach: admit what you don't know, share your real experience including mistakes, and focus on honest self-examination rather than projecting expertise.
Consider:
- •Notice how your first version might have included subtle boasting or hiding uncertainty
- •Pay attention to which version would actually build more trust with the other person
- •Consider how the honest version might lead to better outcomes for everyone involved
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone's honesty about their own struggles or mistakes made you trust them more. What specifically did they do that felt authentic rather than weak?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 75: When Good Intentions Go Wrong
Next, Montaigne explores one of the most dangerous topics of his era—religious freedom and the right to believe differently. In an age of religious wars, he'll examine whether tolerance is possible and what it costs to think for yourself.
