Summary
Montaigne reflects on the ancient art of 'posting' - the rapid relay system used to carry messages across vast distances. He begins by admitting he was once skilled at this physical exercise but had to give it up because it was too demanding on his aging body. This personal confession leads him into a fascinating exploration of how great leaders throughout history solved the problem of fast communication. He describes King Cyrus's ingenious relay system, where fresh horses were stationed at precise intervals to carry urgent news across the Persian Empire. Caesar emerges as a legendary speedster, traveling a hundred miles daily and even swimming across rivers rather than waste time finding bridges. Montaigne catalogs other remarkable feats: Tiberius Nero covering two hundred miles in twenty-four hours, and various military commanders using pre-arranged horse relays for incredible speed. But the essay's most intriguing examples involve creative alternatives to horses. Cecina used trained swallows to carry color-coded messages home, while Roman theater-goers employed pigeons for household communication. In Peru, human runners carried passengers in litters, transferring their loads without stopping. The Wallachians could commandeer any horse they encountered, using special girdles to prevent fatigue. Through these examples, Montaigne reveals how the fundamental human need for speed and efficiency has driven innovation across cultures and centuries, while also acknowledging the physical limitations that come with age.
Coming Up in Chapter 79
From the mechanics of speed, Montaigne turns to a thorny moral question: can evil methods ever be justified if they serve a good purpose? He'll examine the complex ethics of achieving noble ends through questionable means.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
OF POSTING I have been none of the least able in this exercise, which is proper for men of my pitch, well-knit and short; but I give it over; it shakes us too much to continue it long. I was at this moment reading, that King Cyrus, the better to have news brought him from all parts of the empire, which was of a vast extent, caused it to be tried how far a horse could go in a day without baiting, and at that distance appointed men, whose business it was to have horses always in readiness, to mount those who were despatched to him; and some say, that this swift way of posting is equal to that of the flight of cranes. Caesar says, that Lucius Vibullius Rufus, being in great haste to carry intelligence to Pompey, rode night and day, still taking fresh horses for the greater diligence and speed; and he himself, as Suetonius reports, travelled a hundred miles a day in a hired coach; but he was a furious courier, for where the rivers stopped his way he passed them by swimming, without turning out of his way to look for either bridge or ford. Tiberius Nero, going to see his brother Drusus, who was sick in Germany, travelled two hundred miles in four-and-twenty hours, having three coaches. In the war of the Romans against King Antiochus, T. Sempronius Gracchus, says Livy: “Per dispositos equos prope incredibili celeritate ab Amphissa tertio die Pellam pervenit.” [“By pre-arranged relays of horses, he, with an almost incredible speed, rode in three days from Amphissa to Pella.” --Livy, xxxvii. 7.] And it appears that they were established posts, and not horses purposely laid in upon this occasion. Cecina’s invention to send back news to his family was much more quick, for he took swallows along with him from home, and turned them out towards their nests when he would send back any news; setting a mark of some colour upon them to signify his meaning, according to what he and his people had before agreed upon. At the theatre at Rome masters of families carried pigeons in their bosoms to which they tied letters when they had a mind to send any orders to their people at home; and the pigeons were trained up to bring back an answer. D. Brutus made use of the same device when besieged in Modena, and others elsewhere have done the same. In Peru they rode post upon men, who took them upon their shoulders in a certain kind of litters made for that purpose, and ran with such agility that, in their full speed, the first couriers transferred their load to the second without making any stop. I understand that the Wallachians, the grand Signior’s couriers, perform wonderful journeys, by reason they have liberty to dismount the first person they meet upon the road, giving him their own tired horses; and that to preserve themselves from being weary, they gird themselves straight...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Innovation Imperative - How Necessity Drives Human Ingenuity
Genuine necessity forces humans to transcend conventional limitations and discover creative solutions they never considered under comfortable conditions.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to harness urgency as an innovation tool rather than letting it paralyze you.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you're stuck on a problem—then create an artificial deadline with real stakes to force breakthrough thinking.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Posting
An ancient relay system where fresh horses and riders were stationed at regular intervals to carry urgent messages across long distances at maximum speed. It was the fastest communication method before modern technology.
Modern Usage:
We see this same relay principle in modern logistics networks, emergency response chains, and even how social media spreads information rapidly from person to person.
Imperial Communication Networks
Organized systems that vast empires used to stay connected and maintain control over distant territories. These networks were essential for military coordination and political authority.
Modern Usage:
Today's global corporations and governments use similar communication infrastructures - from corporate intranets to military command networks.
Physical Limitations
The acknowledgment that our bodies impose real constraints on what we can accomplish, especially as we age. Montaigne openly discusses how he had to give up activities he once enjoyed.
Modern Usage:
We still face the same reality when longtime athletes retire due to injury or older workers transition to less physically demanding roles.
Innovation Born of Necessity
The pattern where urgent needs drive creative solutions. When speed was crucial, people invented remarkably clever methods like trained birds or human relay systems.
Modern Usage:
We see this constantly in modern problem-solving, from emergency workarounds to startup solutions that disrupt entire industries.
Historical Precedent
Using examples from the past to understand current situations or validate present choices. Montaigne constantly references ancient leaders to make sense of human behavior.
Modern Usage:
We do this when we look at how past economic crises were handled or study historical leadership during times of change.
Personal Reflection Through Universal Examples
Montaigne's signature technique of starting with his own experience then expanding to show how it connects to broader human patterns throughout history.
Modern Usage:
This is like how we might start talking about our own work stress, then realize it's part of larger patterns everyone faces in modern employment.
Characters in This Chapter
King Cyrus
Strategic innovator
The Persian king who created the first systematic postal relay network, calculating exactly how far a horse could travel in one day and positioning fresh mounts accordingly. His method became the gold standard for rapid communication.
Modern Equivalent:
The logistics CEO who revolutionizes supply chain efficiency
Julius Caesar
Legendary speedster
Portrayed as almost superhuman in his travel abilities, covering a hundred miles daily and swimming across rivers rather than finding bridges. He represents the leader who refuses to let obstacles slow him down.
Modern Equivalent:
The workaholic executive who takes red-eye flights and works through weekends
Tiberius Nero
Devoted brother
Traveled two hundred miles in twenty-four hours using three coaches to reach his sick brother Drusus in Germany. Shows how personal urgency can drive extraordinary effort.
Modern Equivalent:
The family member who drives through the night to reach a loved one in crisis
Cecina
Creative communicator
Used trained swallows with colored ribbons to send messages home about gladiator victories. Represents thinking outside conventional methods to solve communication problems.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who finds clever social media hacks to stay connected with family
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I have been none of the least able in this exercise, which is proper for men of my pitch, well-knit and short; but I give it over; it shakes us too much to continue it long."
Context: Opening the essay by admitting he was once good at rapid horseback riding but had to quit
This sets the tone for Montaigne's honest self-assessment and introduces the theme of physical limitations. It shows his willingness to admit vulnerability while also taking pride in past abilities.
In Today's Words:
I used to be pretty good at this - it suited my build - but I had to stop because it was too hard on my body.
"he was a furious courier, for where the rivers stopped his way he passed them by swimming, without turning out of his way to look for either bridge or ford"
Context: Explaining Caesar's extreme dedication to speed in travel
This illustrates the lengths some people will go to avoid delays or obstacles. It shows both admirable determination and possibly reckless single-mindedness.
In Today's Words:
He was obsessed with speed - when he hit a river, he'd just swim across rather than waste time looking for a bridge.
"By pre-arranged horses, with almost incredible speed, he arrived from Amphissa to Pella on the third day"
Context: Describing a Roman military commander's rapid journey during wartime
This demonstrates how effective organization and preparation can achieve seemingly impossible results. The 'almost incredible speed' suggests these achievements impressed even contemporary observers.
In Today's Words:
With horses already set up along the route, he made what should have been a week-long trip in just three days.
Thematic Threads
Adaptation
In This Chapter
Montaigne adapts from physical posting to intellectual observation, while historical figures adapt transportation methods to overcome distance
Development
Introduced here as response to physical limitations and external demands
In Your Life:
You adapt your parenting style when your teenager stops responding to old approaches
Innovation
In This Chapter
Creative solutions emerge from urgent needs—swallows as messengers, swimming rivers, human relay systems
Development
Introduced here as human response to communication challenges
In Your Life:
You find new ways to stretch your grocery budget when unexpected bills arrive
Physical Limits
In This Chapter
Montaigne acknowledges his aging body can't handle posting; leaders overcome distance through systematic planning
Development
Introduced here as catalyst for both personal reflection and historical innovation
In Your Life:
You recognize when your back can't handle the same work pace and must find smarter approaches
Efficiency
In This Chapter
Every example focuses on maximum speed with minimal waste—precise horse intervals, color-coded messages, continuous relay systems
Development
Introduced here as driving force behind all communication innovations
In Your Life:
You develop systems to get your morning routine down to thirty minutes when your shift starts earlier
Resourcefulness
In This Chapter
Using whatever's available—birds, rivers, commandeered horses, human carriers—to solve urgent problems
Development
Introduced here as universal human trait across cultures and centuries
In Your Life:
You figure out how to make Thanksgiving dinner work when the oven breaks two hours before guests arrive
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific methods did ancient leaders use to solve the problem of fast communication, and what made each approach clever for its time?
analysis • surface - 2
Why did genuine urgency lead to more creative solutions than comfortable planning - what happens to our thinking when we truly have no choice?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this 'necessity drives innovation' pattern in your workplace, family, or community when people face real deadlines or crises?
application • medium - 4
How could you deliberately create productive pressure in your own life to force breakthrough solutions to problems you've been avoiding?
application • deep - 5
What does Montaigne's fascination with speed and efficiency reveal about the human drive to overcome limitations, and how does this apply to aging or other constraints?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Design Your Emergency Innovation System
Think of a current problem you've been putting off or struggling with for weeks or months. Now imagine you only had 48 hours to solve it, and your job or family's wellbeing depended on finding a solution. Write down three unconventional approaches you would try under this pressure that you haven't considered before.
Consider:
- •What resources would you tap that you normally wouldn't ask for help from?
- •What 'perfect solution' standards would you drop to focus on 'good enough' results?
- •What creative combinations or shortcuts would desperation make you willing to try?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when real pressure forced you to find a solution you didn't think you had in you. What did that experience teach you about your own capabilities when your back is against the wall?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 79: When Bad Means Serve Good Ends
Moving forward, we'll examine societies use controlled conflict to prevent internal collapse, and understand sometimes doing wrong things serves right purposes. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.