Summary
Montaigne explores the crucial idea that everything in life has its proper time and season. He contrasts two famous Roman leaders named Cato - one who learned Greek in extreme old age (which Montaigne sees as foolish second childhood) and another who faced death with calm dignity. The essay argues that we often cling to activities and desires past their appropriate time, like elderly people still frantically learning when they should be applying wisdom, or continuing to build houses when death approaches. Montaigne observes that the greatest vice is our refusal to let our desires age naturally - we keep restarting life instead of accepting its phases. He finds comfort in how old age naturally eliminates many worries about wealth, status, and worldly concerns. The younger Cato serves as his ideal: a man so prepared for death that he could spend his final night reading philosophy not from desperation, but from the same calm routine that governed his entire life. Montaigne advocates for matching our activities to our life stage - the young should prepare, the old should enjoy what they've built. This isn't about giving up, but about wisdom in timing. Just as we wouldn't pray during battle or exercise when we should be leading, we must learn when to stop accumulating and start appreciating, when to stop learning basics and start living fully.
Coming Up in Chapter 85
Having explored the seasons of life, Montaigne turns to examine virtue itself - what it truly means and how it differs from the mere appearance of goodness that so often deceives us.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
ALL THINGS HAVE THEIR SEASON Such as compare Cato the Censor with the younger Cato, who killed himself, compare two beautiful natures, much resembling one another. The first acquired his reputation several ways, and excels in military exploits and the utility of his public employments; but the virtue of the younger, besides that it were blasphemy to compare any to it in vigour, was much more pure and unblemished. For who could absolve that of the Censor from envy and ambition, having dared to attack the honour of Scipio, a man in goodness and all other excellent qualities infinitely beyond him or any other of his time? That which they, report of him, amongst other things, that in his extreme old age he put himself upon learning the Greek tongue with so greedy an appetite, as if to quench a long thirst, does not seem to me to make much for his honour; it being properly what we call falling into second childhood. All things have their seasons, even good ones, and I may say my Paternoster out of time; as they accused T. Quintus Flaminius, that being general of an army, he was seen praying apart in the time of a battle that he won. “Imponit finem sapiens et rebus honestis.” [“The wise man limits even honest things.”--Juvenal, vi. 444] Eudemonidas, seeing Xenocrates when very old, still very intent upon his school lectures: “When will this man be wise,” said he, “if he is yet learning?” And Philopaemen, to those who extolled King Ptolemy for every day inuring his person to the exercise of arms: “It is not,” said he, “commendable in a king of his age to exercise himself in these things; he ought now really to employ them.” The young are to make their preparations, the old to enjoy them, say the sages: and the greatest vice they observe in us is that our desires incessantly grow young again; we are always re-beginning to live. Our studies and desires should sometime be sensible of age; yet we have one foot in the grave and still our appetites and pursuits spring every day anew within us: “Tu secanda marmora Locas sub ipsum funus, et, sepulcri Immemor, struis domos.” [“You against the time of death have marble cut for use, and, forgetful of the tomb, build houses.”--Horace, Od., ii. 18, 17.] The longest of my designs is not of above a year’s extent; I think of nothing now but ending; rid myself of all new hopes and enterprises; take my last leave of every place I depart from, and every day dispossess myself of what I have. “Olim jam nec perit quicquam mihi, nec acquiritur.... plus superest viatici quam viae.” [“Henceforward I will neither lose, nor expect to get: I have more wherewith to defray my journey, than I have way to go.” (Or): “Hitherto nothing of me has been lost or gained; more remains to pay the way than there is way.”--Seneca, Ep., 77. (The sense seems to...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Right Timing - When to Hold and When to Let Go
Continuing behaviors and pursuits appropriate to an earlier life stage instead of evolving to match your current circumstances and accumulated wisdom.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to match your actions and goals to your current life stage rather than following a one-size-fits-all timeline.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you're doing work that belonged to an earlier version of yourself—ask 'What season am I in, and what's this season's real work?'
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Second childhood
When elderly people behave like children again, often clinging to inappropriate activities or learning basic things they should have mastered long ago. Montaigne uses this to criticize people who don't age gracefully.
Modern Usage:
We see this when grandparents try to act like teenagers on social media or when older adults obsess over trends meant for much younger people.
Cato the Censor vs. Cato the Younger
Two different Roman leaders with the same name. The older Cato was ambitious and sometimes petty; the younger Cato was known for his pure virtue and calm acceptance of death.
Modern Usage:
Like comparing two politicians with similar backgrounds but completely different character - one driven by ego, the other by genuine principles.
All things have their season
Montaigne's central idea that every activity, desire, and phase of life has its proper time. Wisdom means knowing when to start something and when to let it go.
Modern Usage:
This shows up in advice like 'there's a time to party and a time to settle down' or knowing when to change careers versus when to stick it out.
Stoic death preparation
The philosophical practice of accepting death calmly and continuing normal routines even when facing the end. Cato the Younger exemplified this by reading philosophy on his last night.
Modern Usage:
We see this in people who face terminal illness with grace, continuing their hobbies and relationships without panic or desperation.
Age-appropriate desires
The idea that our wants and goals should naturally evolve as we get older, rather than clinging to the same ambitions throughout life.
Modern Usage:
This applies to everything from dating (not chasing people half your age) to career goals (knowing when to mentor instead of compete).
Wisdom versus learning
Montaigne distinguishes between accumulating new knowledge and applying what you already know. At some point, more learning becomes a distraction from living wisely.
Modern Usage:
Like people who keep taking courses and getting certifications instead of actually using their skills, or those who research endlessly instead of taking action.
Characters in This Chapter
Cato the Censor
Negative example
An elderly Roman who learned Greek in extreme old age, which Montaigne criticizes as inappropriate timing. Represents people who don't accept their life stage gracefully.
Modern Equivalent:
The 70-year-old trying to become an influencer
Cato the Younger
Ideal model
A Roman leader who faced death with perfect calm, reading philosophy on his last night not from desperation but from routine. Embodies Montaigne's ideal of matching behavior to life circumstances.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who faces terminal diagnosis with grace and keeps their normal habits
Scipio
Virtuous contrast
A Roman general whose honor was attacked by the older Cato, showing Cato's envy and poor judgment. Used to demonstrate how ambition can corrupt even accomplished people.
Modern Equivalent:
The respected colleague who gets unfairly criticized by a jealous peer
Eudemonidas
Wise observer
A philosopher who questioned why elderly Xenocrates was still frantically learning instead of being wise. Represents Montaigne's view that constant learning can become a vice.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who asks why you're still in school at 45 instead of using your degree
Xenocrates
Cautionary example
An old philosopher still intensely focused on learning new things when he should have been applying his wisdom. Shows how even good activities can become inappropriate.
Modern Equivalent:
The perpetual student who never graduates to actually practicing their field
Key Quotes & Analysis
"All things have their seasons, even good ones, and I may say my Paternoster out of time"
Context: After discussing how even learning Greek can be inappropriate in extreme old age
This captures Montaigne's core argument that timing matters more than the inherent goodness of an activity. Even prayer can be wrongly timed, like praying during battle instead of fighting.
In Today's Words:
Everything has its right time and place, even good stuff - you can pray at the wrong moment just like anything else.
"When will this man be wise, if he is yet learning?"
Context: Seeing the elderly philosopher Xenocrates still intensely studying
This question cuts to the heart of when learning becomes a substitute for living. At some point, we need to stop accumulating knowledge and start applying wisdom.
In Today's Words:
If you're still cramming for tests at this age, when are you actually going to be wise?
"The wise man limits even honest things"
Context: Supporting the argument that even good activities need boundaries
This Latin quote reinforces that wisdom isn't just about choosing good over bad, but about knowing when enough is enough, even with virtuous pursuits.
In Today's Words:
Smart people know when to stop, even with good stuff.
Thematic Threads
Timing
In This Chapter
Montaigne argues everything has its proper season - learning, building, applying wisdom, preparing for death
Development
Introduced here as central theme
In Your Life:
You might be doing work that was right for you five years ago but isn't serving your current life stage
Wisdom
In This Chapter
True wisdom means knowing when to stop accumulating and start applying what you've learned
Development
Builds on earlier discussions of self-knowledge
In Your Life:
Your accumulated experience has value that you might be underestimating while chasing new credentials
Death
In This Chapter
Cato's calm acceptance of death as natural progression, not tragic interruption
Development
Continues Montaigne's exploration of mortality as life teacher
In Your Life:
Accepting limitations and endings can free you to focus on what truly matters now
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Pressure to keep learning and achieving regardless of life stage or accumulated wisdom
Development
Extends earlier themes about external pressures versus internal truth
In Your Life:
You might feel pressure to keep 'improving' when what you need is to trust and use what you already know
Identity
In This Chapter
Struggle between who we were, who we are, and who we think we should become
Development
Deepens ongoing exploration of authentic self versus performed self
In Your Life:
Your identity might be stuck in an earlier version of yourself instead of embracing who you've become
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does Montaigne see as the key difference between the two Roman leaders named Cato, and why does he prefer one over the other?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Montaigne think it's foolish for elderly people to frantically learn new skills instead of applying what they already know?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people in your life doing 'the wrong season's work' - acting like they're still in an earlier phase when they should have moved on?
application • medium - 4
If you honestly assessed your current life stage, what activities should you be focusing on now versus what you're actually spending time on?
application • deep - 5
What does this essay reveal about why humans resist accepting the natural progression of life phases?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Life Seasons
Draw a timeline of your life divided into seasons or phases. For each phase, write what the main 'work' or focus should be. Then honestly mark where you are now and whether you're doing the right work for this season. Finally, identify one thing you're clinging to from a previous season that you might need to release.
Consider:
- •Consider both your chronological age and your experience level in different areas of life
- •Think about what you're afraid of losing if you move to the next season
- •Remember that advancing to the next season doesn't mean giving up ambition - it means redirecting energy more wisely
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you successfully transitioned from one life phase to another. What made that transition work, and what can you learn from it about your current situation?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 85: True Virtue vs. Momentary Heroics
In the next chapter, you'll discover to distinguish between genuine character and temporary bursts of courage, and learn consistent small actions reveal more about someone than dramatic gestures. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.