Summary
Montaigne explores how anger corrupts our ability to discipline others fairly and effectively. He opens by criticizing parents who beat their children in fits of rage, arguing that such punishment becomes revenge rather than correction. Drawing on classical examples, he shows how anger distorts our perception—making small faults appear enormous and leading to unjust punishments. The essay's centerpiece is the story of Plutarch, who calmly explained to his slave that true anger shows physical signs (red face, trembling, shouting) while having him whipped with complete emotional control. Montaigne contrasts this with examples of leaders who delayed punishment until their anger cooled, recognizing that heated emotions produce poor decisions. He argues that just as we wouldn't tolerate an angry doctor treating patients, we shouldn't accept angry discipline of children or servants. The essay reveals how anger feeds on itself—becoming stronger when opposed and weaker when ignored. Montaigne admits his own struggles with quick temper but advocates for either expressing anger briefly and moving on, or waiting until emotions settle. He concludes that while some argue anger can fuel virtue and courage, it's ultimately an unreliable weapon that controls us rather than serving us. This exploration of emotional regulation offers timeless wisdom about fair leadership and self-control.
Coming Up in Chapter 88
Having examined anger's corruption of judgment, Montaigne turns to defend two of his philosophical heroes—Seneca and Plutarch—against critics who question their wisdom. He'll explore whether personal flaws invalidate a teacher's lessons and why we must separate the message from the messenger.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
OF ANGER Plutarch is admirable throughout, but especially where he judges of human actions. What fine things does he say in the comparison of Lycurgus and Numa upon the subject of our great folly in abandoning children to the care and government of their fathers? The most of our civil governments, as Aristotle says, “leave, after the manner of the Cyclopes, to every one the ordering of their wives and children, according to their own foolish and indiscreet fancy; and the Lacedaemonian and Cretan are almost the only governments that have committed the education of children to the laws. Who does not see that in a state all depends upon their nurture and bringing up? and yet they are left to the mercy of parents, let them be as foolish and ill-conditioned as they may, without any manner of discretion.” Amongst other things, how often have I, as I have passed along our streets, had a good mind to get up a farce, to revenge the poor boys whom I have seen hided, knocked down, and miserably beaten by some father or mother, when in their fury and mad with rage? You shall see them come out with fire and fury sparkling in their eyes: “Rabie jecur incendente, feruntur, Praecipites; ut saxa jugis abrupta, quibus mons Subtrahitur, clivoque latus pendente recedit,” [“They are headlong borne with burning fury as great stones torn from the mountains, by which the steep sides are left naked and bare.”--Juvenal, Sat., vi. 647.] (and according to Hippocrates, the most dangerous maladies are they that disfigure the countenance), with a roaring and terrible voice, very often against those that are but newly come from nurse, and there they are lamed and spoiled with blows, whilst our justice takes no cognisance of it, as if these maims and dislocations were not executed upon members of our commonwealth: “Gratum est, quod patria; civem populoque dedisti, Si facis, ut patrix sit idoneus, utilis agris, Utilis et bellorum et pacis rebus agendis.” [“It is well when to thy country and the people thou hast given a citizen, provided thou make fit for his country’s service; useful to till the earth, useful in affairs of war and peace” --Juvenal, Sat., xiv. 70.] There is no passion that so much transports men from their right judgment as anger. No one would demur upon punishing a judge with death who should condemn a criminal on the account of his own choler; why, then, should fathers and pedagogues be any more allowed to whip and chastise children in their anger? ‘Tis then no longer correction, but revenge. Chastisement is instead of physic to children; and would we endure a physician who should be animated against and enraged at his patient? We ourselves, to do well, should never lay a hand upon our servants whilst our anger lasts. When the pulse beats, and we feel emotion in ourselves, let us defer the business; things will indeed appear otherwise to us when we are calm and...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Heated Justice - When Anger Corrupts Our Authority
Anger transforms fair correction into personal revenge, corrupting our ability to discipline others effectively.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when anger transforms legitimate discipline into personal retaliation.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone's mistake triggers your anger—pause and ask yourself if you're solving the problem or punishing the person.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Cyclopes
In Greek mythology, one-eyed giants who lived without laws or social order. Montaigne uses them to represent people who act without wisdom or community standards, doing whatever they want without considering consequences.
Modern Usage:
We see this in parents who discipline based on their mood rather than consistent rules, or managers who play favorites instead of following company policies.
Lacedaemonian
Referring to ancient Sparta, where the state controlled education rather than leaving it to individual parents. Spartans believed community standards produced better citizens than family whims.
Modern Usage:
This shows up in debates about public school standards versus homeschooling, or whether communities should intervene in family discipline issues.
Plutarch
Ancient Greek writer who wrote moral essays and biographies. Montaigne frequently quotes him as an example of wisdom and self-control, especially in handling anger and discipline.
Modern Usage:
He represents the kind of mentor or role model we look up to - someone who practices what they preach and stays calm under pressure.
Correction vs Revenge
Montaigne distinguishes between discipline meant to teach (correction) and punishment driven by our own hurt feelings (revenge). Correction helps the other person; revenge just makes us feel better.
Modern Usage:
This applies to everything from parenting timeouts to workplace write-ups - are we trying to help someone improve or just venting our frustration?
Emotional Regulation
The ability to control your feelings rather than letting them control you. Montaigne argues that good leaders must master this skill to make fair decisions and effective discipline.
Modern Usage:
This is what we call 'emotional intelligence' today - staying professional during conflicts, not texting your ex when angry, or cooling down before disciplining kids.
Classical Examples
Montaigne constantly references ancient Greek and Roman stories to prove his points. He believes these historical examples show universal human patterns that still apply today.
Modern Usage:
Like how we reference movie characters or celebrities to make a point - 'Don't be like that Karen' or 'Channel your inner Oprah.'
Characters in This Chapter
Plutarch
Moral exemplar
Demonstrates perfect self-control by calmly explaining the signs of anger to his slave while having him punished. Shows how true discipline comes from reason, not emotion.
Modern Equivalent:
The boss who stays completely professional while firing someone
Lycurgus
Wise lawgiver
Ancient Spartan leader who created laws for child-rearing rather than leaving it to individual parents. Represents systematic, community-based approaches to important issues.
Modern Equivalent:
The school principal who enforces consistent policies instead of letting teachers do whatever they want
Numa
Wise lawgiver
Roman king known for creating just laws and institutions. Paired with Lycurgus to show how great leaders think beyond personal impulses to create lasting systems.
Modern Equivalent:
The union leader who negotiates fair workplace rules that protect everyone
The Angry Parents
Negative examples
Parents Montaigne observes beating their children in rage on the streets. They represent how anger corrupts discipline into abuse and revenge.
Modern Equivalent:
The parent screaming at their kid in the grocery store checkout line
Montaigne himself
Honest narrator
Admits his own struggles with quick temper while advocating for better self-control. Shows vulnerability and self-awareness rather than claiming perfection.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who admits their flaws while trying to do better
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Who does not see that in a state all depends upon their nurture and bringing up? and yet they are left to the mercy of parents, let them be as foolish and ill-conditioned as they may"
Context: Criticizing how society leaves child-rearing to individual parents regardless of their fitness
This reveals Montaigne's belief that community standards matter more than individual preferences when it comes to raising the next generation. He sees the contradiction in caring about society's future while ignoring how children are actually treated.
In Today's Words:
We all know kids are our future, but we let any idiot be a parent without any training or oversight.
"You shall see them come out with fire and fury sparkling in their eyes"
Context: Describing angry parents about to beat their children
The vivid imagery shows how anger transforms people into something frightening and destructive. Montaigne wants us to see how ridiculous and scary we look when we lose control.
In Today's Words:
You can literally see the rage in their faces - they look like they're about to lose it completely.
"I do not find that the quality of the disease requires so violent and harsh a cure"
Context: Arguing that most childhood misbehavior doesn't warrant severe punishment
Using medical metaphor, Montaigne suggests we often 'operate with a chainsaw when we need a band-aid.' This shows his belief in proportionate responses and treating causes rather than just symptoms.
In Today's Words:
The punishment doesn't fit the crime - you're bringing a sledgehammer to swat a fly.
Thematic Threads
Authority
In This Chapter
Montaigne examines how emotional control determines whether authority teaches or terrorizes
Development
Builds on earlier themes of leadership by focusing specifically on discipline and correction
In Your Life:
Every time you're in charge of others—as parent, supervisor, or team leader—your emotional state shapes their learning.
Self-Control
In This Chapter
The essay contrasts Plutarch's calm discipline with examples of leaders who delay punishment until anger cools
Development
Deepens previous discussions of emotional regulation with practical examples of mastery
In Your Life:
Your ability to pause when angry determines whether conflicts escalate or resolve constructively.
Justice
In This Chapter
Montaigne argues that angry punishment becomes revenge rather than fair correction
Development
Explores how emotions corrupt our sense of proportional response and fairness
In Your Life:
When you're hurt or frustrated, your idea of 'fair consequences' often becomes disproportionate revenge.
Perception
In This Chapter
Anger distorts our view, making small faults appear enormous and clouding judgment
Development
Continues examining how emotions shape what we see and how we interpret events
In Your Life:
Your emotional state literally changes what you notice and how serious problems appear to you.
Relationships
In This Chapter
The parent-child and master-servant dynamics reveal how anger damages teaching relationships
Development
Applies relationship insights to power dynamics and hierarchical connections
In Your Life:
Every relationship where you have more power requires you to manage your emotions to preserve trust and learning.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Montaigne say that beating children while angry turns punishment into revenge?
analysis • surface - 2
What does the story of Plutarch and his slave reveal about the difference between controlled discipline and emotional reaction?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern of anger corrupting judgment in modern workplaces, families, or online interactions?
application • medium - 4
How would you handle a situation where someone needs correction but you're feeling angry about their behavior?
application • deep - 5
What does Montaigne's insight about anger feeding on itself teach us about breaking cycles of conflict in our relationships?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Track Your Anger Signals
Think of a recent time when you had to address someone's mistake or bad behavior while you were frustrated. Map out what happened: What were your physical anger signals? What did you say or do? How did the other person respond? Now redesign that conversation - what would you have done differently if you had waited until you were calm?
Consider:
- •Notice your body's early warning signs of anger (tight jaw, raised voice, heat in chest)
- •Consider how your emotional state affected the other person's ability to actually learn from the situation
- •Think about whether your goal was truly to help them improve or to express your frustration
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone corrected you while they were angry versus a time when someone addressed your mistake calmly. How did each experience affect your willingness to change and your relationship with that person?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 88: Defending Your Heroes Against Critics
What lies ahead teaches us to evaluate criticism of people you admire fairly, and shows us understanding context matters more than surface judgments. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.