Summary
Montaigne explores what it means to stay productive and engaged when life gets difficult, using powerful examples of leaders who refused to give up even when facing death. He opens with Emperor Vespasian, who continued running the empire from his deathbed, famously declaring that 'an emperor must die standing.' This sets up Montaigne's central argument: that people in positions of responsibility—whether emperors, managers, or parents—cannot simply check out when things get tough. He contrasts leaders who stay engaged with those who delegate everything, arguing that real leadership requires personal investment and presence. The essay's most striking example is Mule Moloch, the Moroccan king who was dying of illness but personally orchestrated a brilliant military victory against the Portuguese, literally commanding troops while being carried on a stretcher. Montaigne shows how Moloch's hands-on leadership, even while dying, led to complete victory, while leaders who stay safely behind often fail. But Montaigne also warns against foolish heroics—the difference between dying usefully and dying pointlessly. He acknowledges that sometimes circumstances beyond our control prevent us from achieving our goals, no matter how determined we are. The essay ultimately argues for finding the balance between staying engaged with life's responsibilities and accepting what we cannot control. It's about showing up fully for the roles we've accepted, whether as leaders, workers, or family members, while recognizing that courage isn't about seeking death but about living purposefully until the end.
Coming Up in Chapter 78
From the weight of responsibility, Montaigne turns to the art of communication and travel, exploring how we present ourselves to the world and what we can learn from moving through different spaces and cultures.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
AGAINST IDLENESS The Emperor Vespasian, being sick of the disease whereof he died, did not for all that neglect to inquire after the state of the empire, and even in bed continually despatched very many affairs of great consequence; for which, being reproved by his physician, as a thing prejudicial to his health, “An emperor,” said he, “must die standing.” A fine saying, in my opinion, and worthy a great prince. The Emperor Adrian since made use of the same words, and kings should be often put in mind of them, to make them know that the great office conferred upon them of the command of so many men, is not an employment of ease; and that there is nothing can so justly disgust a subject, and make him unwilling to expose himself to labour and danger for the service of his prince, than to see him, in the meantime, devoted to his ease and frivolous amusement, and to be solicitous of his preservation who so much neglects that of his people. Whoever will take upon him to maintain that ‘tis better for a prince to carry on his wars by others, than in his own person, fortune will furnish him with examples enough of those whose lieutenants have brought great enterprises to a happy issue, and of those also whose presence has done more hurt than good: but no virtuous and valiant prince can with patience endure so dishonourable councils. Under colour of saving his head, like the statue of a saint, for the happiness of his kingdom, they degrade him from and declare him incapable of his office, which is military throughout: I know one--[Probably Henry IV.]--who had much rather be beaten, than to sleep whilst another fights for him; and who never without jealousy heard of any brave thing done even by his own officers in his absence. And Soliman I. said, with very good reason, in my opinion, that victories obtained without the master were never complete. Much more would he have said that that master ought to blush for shame, to pretend to any share in the honour, having contributed nothing to the work, but his voice and thought; nor even so much as these, considering that in such work as that, the direction and command that deserve honour are only such as are given upon the spot, and in the heat of the business. No pilot performs his office by standing still. The princes of the Ottoman family, the chiefest in the world in military fortune, have warmly embraced this opinion, and Bajazet II., with his son, who swerved from it, spending their time in science and other retired employments, gave great blows to their empire; and Amurath III., now reigning, following their example, begins to find the same. Was it not Edward III., King of England, who said this of our Charles V.: “There never was king who so seldom put on his armour, and yet never king who gave me so much...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Engaged Leadership
Real responsibility means staying personally invested and present during the hardest moments, not just the easy ones.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish between job titles and actual responsibility, showing when personal engagement matters most.
Practice This Today
Next time you're tempted to delegate a difficult situation, ask yourself: is this something only I can handle, or am I avoiding discomfort that comes with real leadership?
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Imperial duty
The idea that people in positions of power or responsibility cannot abandon their duties, even when facing personal hardship or death. Montaigne uses Roman emperors as examples of leaders who worked until their final breath.
Modern Usage:
We see this when managers work through illness, parents sacrifice for their kids, or first responders stay on duty during disasters.
Leading from the front
The practice of personally taking risks and being present for the difficult work rather than delegating everything to others. Montaigne argues this builds trust and respect from those you lead.
Modern Usage:
This shows up when bosses work alongside their teams during crises or when coaches get on the field with their players.
Honorable death
Montaigne's concept that how you face death reveals your character - dying while fulfilling your responsibilities versus dying for meaningless reasons. It's about purpose, not heroics.
Modern Usage:
Today we might say someone 'went out on their own terms' or 'died doing what they loved' - it's about living with purpose until the end.
Delegation versus abandonment
The difference between smart delegation (giving others authority while staying involved) and complete abandonment of responsibility (checking out entirely when things get hard).
Modern Usage:
This appears when parents let teens make decisions but stay available for guidance, versus parents who completely disengage from their kids' lives.
Productive suffering
Montaigne's idea that pain and difficulty can be channeled into meaningful action rather than becoming excuses for inaction. Suffering becomes fuel for purpose.
Modern Usage:
We see this when people use personal tragedies to help others, or when workers push through tough times to provide for their families.
Strategic presence
The calculated decision of when to be physically present versus when to lead from a distance. Montaigne shows how good leaders know when their presence matters most.
Modern Usage:
This happens when managers show up during layoffs, or when family members return home during medical emergencies.
Characters in This Chapter
Emperor Vespasian
Primary example of dutiful leadership
Even while dying, he continues handling imperial business from his deathbed. When his doctor tells him to rest, he responds that 'an emperor must die standing,' meaning he cannot abandon his duties even in death.
Modern Equivalent:
The workaholic boss who answers emails from the hospital
Emperor Adrian
Supporting example of imperial duty
Montaigne mentions that Adrian adopted Vespasian's philosophy, showing how this attitude toward duty became a model for other leaders to follow.
Modern Equivalent:
The mentor who teaches 'the show must go on'
Mule Moloch
Ultimate example of engaged leadership
The Moroccan king who, while dying of illness, personally directed a military campaign against the Portuguese from a stretcher. His hands-on leadership led to complete victory where distant command might have failed.
Modern Equivalent:
The coach who shows up to the championship game despite being in the hospital
The Portuguese forces
Cautionary example of distant leadership
They represent the failure that comes from leaders who stay safely removed from the action. Their defeat shows what happens when leadership lacks personal investment.
Modern Equivalent:
Corporate executives who make decisions without understanding the ground-level reality
Key Quotes & Analysis
"An emperor must die standing."
Context: Said to his doctor who told him to rest while he was dying
This becomes Montaigne's central metaphor for refusing to abandon responsibility even in the face of death. It's not about being a workaholic, but about understanding that some roles require you to stay engaged until the very end.
In Today's Words:
I'm going to keep doing my job until I literally can't anymore.
"There is nothing can so justly disgust a subject, and make him unwilling to expose himself to labour and danger for the service of his prince, than to see him, in the meantime, devoted to his ease and frivolous amusement."
Context: Explaining why leaders must stay engaged during difficult times
Montaigne identifies a key truth about leadership and motivation - people won't sacrifice for leaders who won't sacrifice themselves. When those in charge check out during hard times, everyone else loses motivation to keep trying.
In Today's Words:
Nobody wants to work hard for a boss who's playing golf while the company is struggling.
"No virtuous and valiant prince can with patience endure so dishonourable councils."
Context: Arguing against the advice that leaders should always stay safely behind
Montaigne argues that truly good leaders cannot accept advice to completely avoid risk or difficulty. There's a difference between being smart about danger and being cowardly about responsibility.
In Today's Words:
Any decent leader is going to reject advice that basically amounts to 'let everyone else handle the hard stuff.'
Thematic Threads
Responsibility
In This Chapter
Montaigne shows responsibility as personal engagement during crisis, not just holding a title or position
Development
Builds on earlier themes about authentic versus performative behavior
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you're tempted to delegate the hard conversations or avoid difficult situations at work or home
Leadership
In This Chapter
True leadership means staying present and making decisions even when facing death or failure
Development
Introduced here as active engagement rather than passive authority
In Your Life:
You see this whenever someone in your life steps up during crisis versus those who disappear when things get tough
Class
In This Chapter
Montaigne contrasts leaders who stay connected to reality with those who retreat into privilege
Development
Continues theme of how social position can either ground you or disconnect you from truth
In Your Life:
You might notice this in how management at your workplace handles problems—do they stay involved or delegate everything difficult
Courage
In This Chapter
Courage is defined as purposeful engagement, not reckless heroics or seeking death
Development
Refines earlier discussions about bravery by distinguishing useful from pointless risk
In Your Life:
You face this choice when deciding whether to speak up in difficult situations or stay involved in challenging relationships
Control
In This Chapter
Montaigne acknowledges the balance between staying engaged and accepting what you cannot control
Development
Builds on themes about the limits of human agency while emphasizing personal responsibility
In Your Life:
You experience this when trying to help family members or improve workplace situations—knowing when to stay engaged versus when to let go
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What did Emperor Vespasian and King Moloch have in common in how they handled their final days?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Montaigne think leaders who delegate everything during crises often fail while those who stay personally involved succeed?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about your workplace or family - when have you seen someone 'check out' during difficult times versus someone who stayed fully engaged? What were the results?
application • medium - 4
How would you tell the difference between staying engaged when things get tough versus foolish heroics that accomplish nothing?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about the relationship between responsibility and personal presence during crisis?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Engagement Patterns
Think of three difficult situations you've faced in the past year - one at work, one at home, and one personal challenge. For each situation, honestly assess: Did you stay fully engaged or did you find ways to check out? Write down what you actually did versus what full engagement would have looked like. Notice the pattern in your responses.
Consider:
- •Checking out doesn't always mean physically leaving - it can mean going through the motions emotionally
- •Sometimes stepping back is the engaged choice, but it's different from avoiding responsibility
- •Look for situations where your level of engagement directly affected the outcome
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you stayed fully engaged during a crisis when it would have been easier to check out. What did that cost you, and what did it gain you? How did it change how others saw you or how you saw yourself?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 78: The Art of Moving Fast
What lies ahead teaches us ancient communication systems reveal timeless principles of efficiency, and shows us understanding logistics and speed matters in personal and professional life. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.