Michel De
Montaigne The Complete Essays Notes
Essays Pgs 1-120
The
Life of Montaigne
-Born Feb 28, 1533
-father was Pierre Eyquem, cared about his children's education
-well educated and multi lingual
-went to college of Guienne at 6yrs old
-joined military after his oldest brother died
-Began writing essays after retirement from public affairs and continued adding until he died
-Traveled often
-earned a diploma of citizenship in Rome
Essays
-tells of the death of La Boetie; Montaigne never leaves his side during death, knows La Boetie's wishes and thoughts; he thanked Montaigne prior to death and also read his own will out loud; La Boetie called for Montaigne with his last breath
-disagrees with views of "Natural Theology"
-frowns upon the hands of man destroying nature for his own selfish wants
-Talks about how he learned about the kind of man he wants to be through the death of his friend
-Speaks extensively of self worth
-Feels his service in government is unnecessary and may hinder his own life
-A religious man who believes the will of God follows you even after death
-Believes the soul will turn bad if no force opposed the negative
-Asks rhetorical questions throughout the essays
-Often uses nature to portray moral teachings
-speaks of women needing to be ornate and eloquent in all that they do
-beliefs manners and etiquette rule a society
-thinks that to study philosophy is to learn to die
-Talks about how for one man to gain something, another must lose something else
-Eludes to far-fetched ideas
-References Aristotle as a teacher of his
-concludes that nobody can wholeheartedly love two people. Instead, can only love parts of many people or a whole of a single person
-Born Feb 28, 1533
-father was Pierre Eyquem, cared about his children's education
-well educated and multi lingual
-went to college of Guienne at 6yrs old
-joined military after his oldest brother died
-Began writing essays after retirement from public affairs and continued adding until he died
-Traveled often
-earned a diploma of citizenship in Rome
Essays
-tells of the death of La Boetie; Montaigne never leaves his side during death, knows La Boetie's wishes and thoughts; he thanked Montaigne prior to death and also read his own will out loud; La Boetie called for Montaigne with his last breath
-disagrees with views of "Natural Theology"
-frowns upon the hands of man destroying nature for his own selfish wants
-Talks about how he learned about the kind of man he wants to be through the death of his friend
-Speaks extensively of self worth
-Feels his service in government is unnecessary and may hinder his own life
-A religious man who believes the will of God follows you even after death
-Believes the soul will turn bad if no force opposed the negative
-Asks rhetorical questions throughout the essays
-Often uses nature to portray moral teachings
-speaks of women needing to be ornate and eloquent in all that they do
-beliefs manners and etiquette rule a society
-thinks that to study philosophy is to learn to die
-Talks about how for one man to gain something, another must lose something else
-Eludes to far-fetched ideas
-References Aristotle as a teacher of his
-concludes that nobody can wholeheartedly love two people. Instead, can only love parts of many people or a whole of a single person
Essays
Pgs 121-241
22. One man’s profit is another man’s loss
-Someone has to fail in order for us to grow
-Not unnatural to hope that others fail so that we
can aid the situation and become seen as a hero
-Failures of others allows us to gain respect
-It is necessary for others to fail so we can
continue to be employed
Lawyers- others have to be unhappy so lawyers
can keep their jobs
Doctors-
people have to remain unhealthy so doctors can continue their practice
Architects- buildings have to fall apart to
allow architects to think of new designs
23. On habit: and on never easily changing a
traditional law
-Points out how absurd some of things we think are
normal actually are
-Most of what we think is normal is just
customary- we haven't been exposed to anything else
-After awhile we do things less for ourselves but
for the appeasement of others
-Habits
provide stability in our lives and in other people's lives
-Suggests that our personalities are made of habits
we learned very early in life
-For that reason our weakness and faults in
ourselves can be traced back to our earliest influences in life
-Customs/habits have the power to affect our
judgments and beliefs
-The beliefs and ideas we hear everyday appear to us
as universal and natural so we normally don't question the reasoning behind
some of society's beliefs and values
-When we hear about beliefs from other parts of the
world it's hard for us to understand them because we have only embraced what
our society believes is "normal"
-This results in ignorance
24. Same design: differing outcomes
-You need to have good luck to be successful
-Examples Montaigne points out are in the success of
physicians the success of artists and the success of the military
-It's hard for people to believe good outcomes will
happen to them because they only have the willingness to look short term
instead of long-term
-People are apprehensive to be generous with
their time because they're afraid that if they are too generous they will lose
sight of what they're trying to accomplish and run out of time
-Jealousy and hypocrisy are what cause bad outcomes
to happen to a lot of people because they lose sight of what is morally
important
-In the end it's easier to trust no one because that
way you have sole control over how an outcome will turn out for yourself
25. On schoolmasters’ learning
-Diversity should be encouraged because it teaches
strength and self-confidence
-Diversity should be more widely encouraged because
that is how technology and ideas advance
-When applying yourself to an education you can't be
short-term oriented and you must think of what is going to better yourself and
your peers in the long run
-Teachers focus too much on the memory aspect of an
education instead of the application of an education
-Through the application of an education we find new
inspirations and allow ourselves inspire others
-Trust is the foundation on which education is buil
-For this reason we need to be able to apply an
education to real life situations in order to reach our full
potential
-It is a teacher's responsibility to develop trust
between them and their student in order to be a successful teacher
26. On educating children
-Studying history is a better way to educate
yourself than reading any book
-Reading is too subjective so they are reliable
sources to build an education upon
-The greatest difficulty of human science is the
education of children
-It's hard to
judge what they are thinking because their natural inclinations are so
different from those of adults
-We need to teach children a wide variety of
opinions instead of focusing solely on facts to educate them
-Conversation should be encouraged because it allows
children to build upon the opinions of others
-Socrates and Plato for example drew on the
opinions of multiple people to redefine their own opinions and beliefs
-We should encourage students and children to
consider how and why everything is done and judge and regulate their own lives
-It's not enough to be able to define something, you
have to be able to express how it is of use and why it is the way it is
-The value of a true virtue depends on its application
to daily life and teachers need to teach their students the importance of
having these true virtues
27. That it is madness to judge the true and
the false from our own capacities
-The power of persuasion comes from our own
ignorance
-To condemn anything as impossible is arrogant and
ignorant
- In this sense Montaigne says he once pitied
the people who did not believe in The power of God's will but after stepping
back and reevaluating his life he found himself just as pitied by others
-Just because our own reason cannot comprehend
something seemingly supernatural doesn’t make it false or impossible
-Montaigne restates it as just because you can't see
something doesn't make it impossible
-It is better to come off as self-assured and
introverted then to openly over share your opinions of others and their actions
-He ends the essay with asking why don't we consider
the conflictions in our own judgment and what hypocrisies we hold to be true
28. On affectionate relationships
-Aristotle believed that good politicians respected
friendship more than justice
-Those who seek anything but happiness and
friendship from friendship itself won't be able to make genuine relationships
with others
- It is easier to identify a non-genuine friend than
it is to identify a dishonest stranger
-The relationship between children an their parents
is based on respect
- Friendship
is built by a communication that is impossible between parents and children
simply because children can't tell their parents everything they tell their
friends
-The relationship between siblings isn't natural
friendship
- Siblings
pursuing the same interest often hinder each other
- Siblings in the same business weaken each
other because the wealth and property they accumulate has to be shared
-Relationships between siblings or parents and
children are imposed on us be natural obligation and are not true friendships
-Love toward women can't be compared to friendship
either even though unlike family relationships it's our own choice
- Love is "more active, more eager and
sharper" than friendship and is also a lot more inconsistent and takes
hard work and is more inclined to conflict
-Love is
driven by sensual motives and therefore it is easy for it to become
disproportionally desired while friendship is only improved by enjoying
the other person and is always proportionally desired
-Marriage is compulsory and continuance is often
forced
-Often continued because of things other than our
own will (money, children, etc.)
-Marriage becomes too complicated and women do not
have the communication skills necessary to support long lasting marriages
-If there was a way to make marriage less
complicated and more like a friendship but "allows the bodies to give into
sensual desires" it would be perfect "but women have not yet arrived
at such perfection"
-People we commonly think as friends are only
familiarities to serve some purpose
-In real friendship "the souls mix so
universally" that one person is nothing without the other
-In ordinary
friendships you have to be careful about what you say so as to not ruin the
friendship
- In real
friendships there are no ideas of obligations or benefits and opinions,
thoughts and wills are shared
- In the
friendships Montaigne speaks of each person gives themselves so entirely to a
friend that they have nothing left to give others
- In relationships that hold a single purpose
we have to worry about imperfections and so a genuine friendship like the one
Montaigne refers to can never be established
29. Nine- and –twenty sonnets of Estienne de
la Boetie
-Montaigne is writing to madam de Grammot
- Doesn’t believe he has anything worth value to
offer her because she either already has it or he can't find anything worthy of
her
- Hopes that his literature will do her name
justice and present her name in an honorable way
- Says she is one of the few women in France
that is a good judge of poetry and no one can make as good us of it as she can
- Hopes she finds the value in his work for
years to come
29. On Moderation
-Sometimes we have the natural inclination to
believe in something too much that it becomes corrupt and we embrace it too
wholeheartedly
-This is
where prejudices and racism stems from
-Philosophy is best taught to those who are
able to control their own liberties and opinions
-This doesn't
include women because women tend to over think and complicate natural laws and
thoughts
-This is why people have a natural
inclination to get married: husbands are supposed to be able balance the over
complicated thoughts of their wives and continue to teach he next generation
basic philosophical ideas
30. On cannibals
-Cannibals refer to Native American Indians
-Believes there is nothing there is nothing
barbaric about North American Indians
-Believes people think they are barbaric
because their culture and traditions are different from those in Europe
-They have a perfect religion and perfect legal
system to serve their needs
-Believe the Indians are pure because they have not
been corrupted by European laws and still believe in traditional Values
-They are brave and noble because they fight with
minimal clothing and simple weapons
-They show
the values of patriotism and nationalism within their own tribes
-Believes that Europeans are so busy judging Indians
that they are blind to their own faults
Essays Pgs 241-354
That we are to Avoid Pleasures, Even at the Expense
of Life
-The opinions of the ancients agreed that it is time
to die when there is more ill than good in the world and to preserve their
torture goes against the very rules of nature.
-St. Hilary murdered his only daughter, Abra,
because she was sought in marriage by the greatest nobleman of the country and
was hypnotized by all the wealth and jewels promised to her.
-His wife agreed with his actions so much that he
killed her as well and her death was “embraced with singular and mutual
content.”
-If he was so concerned about their growing appetite
for such lavish articles, why did he not just move his family to a village that
was unable to produce and administer them?
That Fortune is Oftentimes Observed to Act by the
Rules of Reason
-The Duke of Valentinois attempted to poison Adrian,
Cardinal of Corneto, with a bottle of wine that was given to the butler to keep
safe. He was confident that they had not meddled with the poisoned wine so he
took a cup too, but it was indeed and he passed shortly after
-One man had an imposthume in his breast and wanted
to rid himself of the pain by dying, so he entered into battle and was wounded
so thoroughly that the imposthume was broken and he was cured
-A painted was once so frustrated with his work that
he threw a sponge at it, hoping to destroy and deface it, but ultimately made
the painting better and it became his signature style
-The chapter concludes with a father and son
striking equally mortal wounds upon one another, yet still containing enough
strength to behead one another “leaving the bodies still fast linked together
in this noble bond,...”
-The author personifies fortune and describes it as
being almost human-like in its presence and the way that it affects others and
this book even states that fortune has more judgment than we; this chapter is
basically describing both good and bad karma
Of one Defect in our Government
-contemptible: despicable - polity: a
state or other organized community or body
-His father told him of a plan to have a place in
every city that specified in repairs and was entered by an officer appointed
for that purpose
-He states that the world in not generally
corrupted, do you agree?
-He says that his father employed a man to
essentially keep a journal for him and that he wished he did not neglect this
idea of imitating his father, but do you think that these essays have anything
to do with that?
Of the Custom of Wearing Clothes
-He states that we were sufficiently clothed and
covered to defend ourselves from the injuries of weather, like animals and
plants, but that our artificial fashions have destroyed them
-He declares that if we needed to wear “petticoats
and breeches” to survive, then nature would have provided us with thicker skin
(like the soles of our feet)
-Plato advised for the health of the whole body not
to wear anything on your head and feet
-Used Alexander from Greece as being sensible and
the King of Mexico as being superfluous as he changed his clothes four times a
day and never used the same dishes twice, essentially using them as foils for
one another
Of Cato the Younger
-continence: self-restraint or abstinence -inimitable:
surpassing imitation
-States that the age in which we live has grown so
stupid and that the very imagination of virtue is defective and appears only to
be college jargon
-Plutarch complains that Cato died because of his
fear of Caesar and that Cato was in truth a pattern that nature chose out to show
to what height human virtue and constancy could arrive
-States that “we have far more poets than judges and
interpreters of poetry; it is easier to write it than to understand it.” Why do
you think this is?
That we Laugh and Cry for the Same Thing
-States that children and their innocence laugh and
cry at the same thing, why do you think the majority of adults have lost
nature?
-Uses a simile to compare how the sun darts new rays
so thick upon another that we can't perceive the intermission to how the soul
darts out its passions imperceptibly
-countenance: appearance, especially the look
or expression of the face
Of Solitude
-pretermit: to leave undone; neglect; omit -palliate:
to alleviate, mitigate
-States that we should either imitate the vicious or
hate them and that both are dangerous things because there are many when you
resemble or to hate them because they are unresembling to ourselves. Do you
think he would allow another attitude to be considered toward the vicious?
-Declares that it is not enough to move to a remote
region away from the public, but one must sequester and come again to himself
to remove himself from the conditions that have taken possession of his soul.
-Says that “Our disease lies in the mind, which
cannot escape from itself; and therefore is to be called home and confined
within itself: that is true solitude,...” What disease do you think he is
referring to and how do is relate to “true solitude”?
-Why do you think that he states “Virtue is
satisfied with herself, without discipline, without words, without effects.”?
What is he truly trying to explicate?
-Why is it that our own death does not sufficiently
terrify us, rather the death of our family and friends if we are naturally
selfish?
That the Relish of Good & Evil Depends in a
Great Measure Upon the Opinion we Have of Them
-States men are tormented by their opinion of things
rather than the things themselves
-Why do we consider death, pain, and poverty our
principal enemies? What exactly is it about them that makes us all fear them so
much? Are there actually things worse than them?
-In the kingdom of Narsinga, the wives of priests
are buried alive with their husband's bodies, all other wives are burnt at
their husband's funeral, which the joyfully undergo. When the king dies, his
wives, concubines, officers, domestic servants, and anyone else who works for
him are all burnt alive with him and see it as a singular honor to accompany
their master in death.
-peradventure: chance, doubt, uncertainty, or
surmise -indigence: poverty
-Plato believes that pain and pleasure knit and ally
the soul together but Montaigne believes that they separate and disunite them
-cicatrice: new tissue that forms over a
wound and them contracts into a scar
-aspers: former silver coins of Turkey and
Egypt
-The Turks give themselves great scars in honor of
their mistresses, it is not explicated in the text and it makes one wonder why
they feel such pride
Not to Communicate a Man's Honour
-States that honor is so deeply rooted in all of us
that he does not believe anyone was ever successful from discharging themselves
from it
-Also declares that even after you have come up with
your best arguments you still have little power to resist it as it is not
vanity but rather inscribed into our DNA
-Personal honor and respect have a tendency to make
the brain and heart go numb as it extricates morals, values, and feelings from
the situation
-cudgel: a short, thick stick used as a
weapon; a club
Of the Inequality Amongst Us
- In giving your “estimate of people” you judge them
on their clothing and other possessions, rather than their legs, feet, arms,
etc. which are in fact of greater use and value to them
-“The pedestal is no part of the statue. Measure him
without his stilts; let him lay aside his revenues and his titles, let him
present himself in his shirt.” Although Montaigne is basically saying not to
judge and assess someone based on the materials they wear and own, he is
referring to their physical body parts and that if they are strong and properly
function, then they are a worthy person. He also makes hints that if they are a
physically strong and capable person, then their physique must parallel their
soul
-disparity: lack of similarity or equality -rabble:
a disorderly crowd; a mob
-Compares kings and their behavior in public as
opposed to their behavior in their castles to that of the present day actors
who portray them to who the actors really are outside of the theater
-caprice: a sudden, unpredictable change -apoplexy:
a hemorrhage into an organ cavity
-“Tis fruition, and not possession, that renders us
happy.” Why does attaining such a desirable object bear us more joy than
actually owning the object?
-States that the mind and body are in disorder when
they serve the external conveniences
-Montaigne believes that it is much more easy and
pleasant to follow than it is to lead, which I believe to be true at times as
well, but in contrast being a successful leader is much more rewarding and
fulfilling than being an obedient follower, which are you?
-He also says that it is great satisfaction having
to only answer to yourself and one path to walk in, but do you think some
people naturally desire to serve and help others, essentially be followers, or
do you think that it is acquired over time? People say that some people are
just natural leaders, do you agree with this or do you think they become a
leader over time as well? Based on Montaigne's perspective, what would you
categorize him to be?
Of Sumptuary Laws
-beget: to procreate or generate - agog:
highly excited by eagerness, curiosity, anticipation
-Believes that it is contradicting how their laws
attempt to regulate laws pertaining to vain and idle expenses in meat and
clothes because they were contrived by royalty; the very people whose
environment is fabricated in gold, which is why he thinks that they should be
the first ones to end their fascination and necessity for the most lavish
materials if it is expect to disseminate among the common people
-He praises Zeleucus for his laws that diverted the
Locrians from superfluities and pernicious pleasures in order to attract men by
honor and ambition to their duty and obedience. How do you think the modern
public would react if such strict laws were enacted? Do you think they would be
more accepting if their moral reason was explicated to them?
Of Sleep
-“Reason directs that we should always go the way,
but not always at the same pace.” Can you think of any instances where this may
and may not apply?
-He tells stories of princes and kings who fall
asleep and the majority of them die during their rest or finally wake up and
then have their lives taken from them. He concludes the chapter by saying that
physicians do not know whether sleep is so necessary that our lives depend on
it because one man was killed by preventing him from falling asleep and other
men have accounted for not sleeping for months. What point do you think he was
trying to get across with this chapter?
Of Names
-There is an old saying that it is a good thing to
have a good name, but besides this, it is really convenient to have a
well-sounding name, such as is easy of pronunciation and easy to be remembered.
Socrates also wrote that it was worthy of a father's time to give fine names to
his children. Do you think Socrates meant for them to give their children
well-sounding names or good names in general? What is the distinction between
the two?
-Debauched: corrupted; debased -perforce:
of necessity; by force of circumstance
-“... I am very pleased with Jacques Amyot for
leaving, throughout a whole French oration, the Latin names entire, without
varying and garbling them to give them a French cadence.” Why do you think
Montaigne awarded him such praise?
Of War-Horses, or Destriers
-rote: a fixed, habitual routine -rout:
any overwhelming defeat
-Believes that a sword is a more promising weapon in
battle than a gun because with a gun, one must account for the powder, the
stone, the wheel, etc. just to get one shot off whereas the sword is about to
produce the more effective outcome because “A man himself strikes much surer
than the air can direct his blow.” Do you think Montaigne would hold the same
thought even with modern weaponry?
-This chapter is about how trained war-horses can
help in battle if they can distinguish the enemy and learn to fall straight
down rather than on their back to save their master and basically how important
they are when it comes to serving those who ride their backs, but Montaigne
discusses how their horses of service are called destriers and their
romances commonly use the phrase of adestrer for accompagner (to
accompany) in the inception of this particular chapter, why is he drawing this
the comparison between war-horses and lovers?
Of Ancient Customs
-This whole chapter was basically about how everyone
makes fun of the way that their ancestors used to live and the bizarre customs
they used to take part in because things appear to be so “different” now even
though the same thing will be said by their descendants in the future
-Although Montaigne understands where they are coming
from, he criticizes them for altering their actions and opinions of their
ancestors based on the authority of their present age and their “singular
indiscretion” instead of forming their own judgments. Do you think this chapter
can relate to modern day? Who would be the authority of our present age
virtually controlling the way we think and view what is desirable perfection?
Of the Vanity of Words
-tumultuous: raising a great clatter and
commotion; highly agitated, as the mind or emotions
-Aristo defined rhetoric as “a science to persuade
the people” whereas Plato and Socratoes described it as “an art to flatter and
deceive.” Who do you think Montaigne would have agreed with? What are some
popular examples of rhetoric today?
Of a Saying of Caesar
-infirm: not firm, solid, or strong -sprightly:
animated, vivacious, lively
-This chapter was about our never-ending thirst for
for new things and how once we attain something we wished for, we immediately
want something new. Why is it that we always want something that we can't or
don't have? Why do we long for material objects rather than enjoy the people
and relationships that truly matter to us? It really makes you wonder why it
appears that everyone wants something different, and yet we all want the same thing.
Of Vain Subtleties
-subtlety: delicacy or nicety of character or
meaning –
-States that “Stupidity and wisdom meet in the same
centre of sentiment and resolution, in the suffering of human accidents.” What
does he mean by they “meet” and why do they “meet” in the suffering of human
accidents? What does he mean by this?
Essays Pgs 355-488
Ch.56, Pg.355: On Prayer (Book 1)
Summary: “In short, this particular chapter focuses
on Montaigne’s strong religious beliefs and costumes. He believes that people
often follow religion blindly and just go through the motions without the
intent of actually understanding the Lord’s prayers. He thinks most people who
try to follow God are often corrupt and have evil within them making them
unable to actually live by God’s message.”
Details:
-In the opening sentence, Montaigne compares
Universities to his notions that he puts forward. He describes it as “…Advising
questions for debate…Seeking the truth not laying it down.”
-Montaigne embodies his life around the ideas of the
Catholic church. His views are philosophical rather than theological. He
submits himself to the lord, and by doing so, submits his judgement, writings,
and very own thoughts. From this, we see how his life as well as his mind are
surrendered to the Catholic ways, unable to express anything against their
teachings.
-He states that prayers should be less casual and
deserve the recognition of being God’s own words. Prayers should be done
rigorously, not just in times of special occasion.
-“I was wondering recently how the error arose…to
have recourse to God in all our doings…calling upon him in every kind of
need…without considering if the occasion is just or unjust.” This quote struck
importance in the sense that it’s the first sign of Montaigne questioning any type
of religious doings. He questions Catholic followers as to why they need or
don't need to pray in the first place due to the severity of their situation.
He describes God’s work as “justice” and “powerful”. God grants favors
according to “criteria,” not “petition.”
-Montaigne also states that God’s power and justice
are inseparable. if we expect him to lash his power it grants us no benefit
unless our “souls are pure.” In other words, in order to gain God’s powers, one
must life a pure and good life. (To follow the religious teachings.)
-Believes that people who pray over and over again
out of habit and custom, are the real evildoers. People continuously praying
the to the lord while filled with hatred, covetousness, and injustice are the
ones in the wrong of the lords message. Those who demand from God that
lack the true qualities of a follower of christ, will only fall again-at
once.
-States religion is no longer promised “mysteries”
but now serve as “amusements.” Religious stories should evoke emotion; Feared,
adored, knowledge, etc. (Not just told.) There should be a spiritual connection
of some sort. Montaigne believes a reproduction of these religious stories
(similar to that of the bible) should never be translated/scripted into
different languages because it is “forbidden.”
-He believes that saying Gods name as an exclamation
or an interjection is wrong because it makes society softened to the real
meaning and the severity of the Lords name. He quotes one of the most famous
prayer lines: “Forgive us. As we forgive those who trespass against us.” He
connects this to the idea that people pray to him forgiveness after committing
wrong doings, and yet we expect him to secretly allow us to slide by and be
forgiven: This being a sin in itself. We are “inviting God to be
unjust.”
-The constant analogies, allusions to well known
religious stories, and his intense opinions/thoughts created this unraveling
paradox of constant debate.This also becomes a main idea throughout his work.
His Catholicism is embedded into him like DNA as it influences his life, mind,
and his writings.
Ch.57, Pg.366: On The Length Of Life (Book 1)
Summary: “This chapter is the closing to book 1 of
Montaigne’s essays. He questions the meaning of life, and how to measure
accomplishments along the way. Also, he explores the fear of death we all
universally share. He believes we should live fearlessly and have faith in what
will be, and that growing old is an adventure we must all undergo to fully
understand the value of a life. Lastly, he explains the balance of work and
play in a lifetime. We must take advantage of the days we are given and make
them worth living. And in the end, pass down all that we learn for younger
generations to grow.”
-“I can not accept the way we determine the span of
our lives.” Montaigne explores the delicate balance between life and death, and
how we define a fulfilled life. What makes one’s life worth living? And how to
we measure whether or not our lives are satisfied?
-Montaigne flawlessly depicts death of old age as
the most desirable way to go. He believes that if one is able to outlive
the events and adventure within life, reaching old age is a sign of
fulfillment. Old age allows us to be able to grow wise, and look back at the
life we lived. It is viewed positively, for it is proof of growth and embodies
the real meaning of life: to live happily.
-Believed life should never be a race. All are
viewed as powerful, unique, and self driven individuals. One is never too young
to make a difference in the world, but one should also be wise enough to know
how to. Life should never be a battle of surpassing the people next to you, but
rather to surpass your own limitations and to become a better person within
yourself as days pass.
-“Sometimes it’s the body which is the first to
surrender to old age, sometimes too the soul…” We are in charge of our own
lives, our futures, our dreams, our success. We do not realize how much power
we have in our own life, happiness, and fulfillment until it is too late and we
have grown old.
-We often get lost along the trail of life as we get
caught up in work and materialistic things, that we lose sight of what really
matters. The phrase “leisure” that Montaigne repeats, more closely means
“adventure.” Not so much time relaxing, but instead living. We focus so much on
the work side of life, we forget to have enjoyment in the events we part take
in. Theres a balance of work and play. as we grow old, we begin its too late to
take advantage of the time we had.
-“…We should not allow such a large place to be
born, to leisure and to our apprenticeship.” The word “apprenticeship” in this
form does not mean the basic definition, but rather a better idea being to
“teach”. As we grow old, we must give our wisdom to the youth to teach them, to
grow, and allow them to become greater learning from mistakes they have already
seen. Thats the key to life, to learn, and be able to pass your teachings down
from generation to generation.
Ch.1, Pg.373: On The Inconstancy Of Our Actions
(Book 2)
Summary: “Montaigne opens book two with insight into
human tendencies, flaws, and actions. He explains how people are too quick on
their judgement; How one mistake can define a person, even what their good out
weighs the bad. Also, he explains how we all think so differently and
diversely. Its near impossible for us to find large scale peace because not
everyone in the world thinks the same, and are able to find the same solution
and reason to common problems. In life its difficult to come together because
each person is so complex and unique in thought and action.”
-“Those who strive to account for a man’s deeds are
never more bewildered than when they try to knit them into one whole, to show
under one light”…Montaigne talks about the division among people. To this very
day, society is often divided up and unable to agree on problems and solutions.
He hopes the world will know peace one day, because the world is filled with
injustices.
-“It seems reasonable enough to base our judgement
of a man on the more usual features of his life…but natural inconstancy of our
behavior…” Montaigne argues that it is unfair to judge someone by their past,
actions, or opinions, because we all undoubtedly make mistakes. But we must
learn from them. It is hard to force everyone to one belief and accept one
answer to all of life’s greatest questions. But we must judge one another
“piece by piece” rather than letting one bad move make us a bad person
outweighing the good we have done.
-“ One courageous action must not be taken as proof
that a man is brave, a man who is truly brave will always be brave on all
occasions.” We define our character through our actions, and the cliche saying
runs true: Actions speak louder than words.
-“We are entirely made up of bits and pieces, woven
together, so diversely and so shapelessly that each one of them pulls its own
way at every moment.” Meaning people are fighting a battle within themselves of
good and bad actions, that when we combine ourselves with ours it creates
a bigger picture of battles amongst us all.
Ch.2, Pg.381: On Drunkenness (Book 2)
Summary: “Consumption of alcohol should be
controlled and treated like an award as we enter adulthood. Drinking should not
be overlooked as it is a strong sin in Montaigne”s view because it destroys the
mind and soul. In the process, drunkenness reveals our true character and
darkest secrets that are buried inside all of us.”
-“Even though they are equally vices, thy are not
equal vices.” In other words, wrongdoings are equal in the sense they are all
literally wrongdoings, but they are not equal in their severity. It is not easy
to define the rank and importance of each sin.
-Now drunkenness, “Other vices harm our intellect:
this one over throws it.” Drunkenness is considered a more severe sin in Montaigne's
eyes because he believes the worst state for a man is when he loses all
consciousness and control of himself. It also causes a person to release their
most intimate secrets. When one is completely intoxicated, the darker side of
us is revealed.
-Montaigne applies an allusion through the story of
Julius Caesar when he quotes, “Should I bear the weight of a tyrant, which i
cannot bear the weight of my wine.”
-“If you base your pleasure on drinking good wine,
you are bound to suffer sometimes from drinking bad.” The phrase “bad” used
here means if you get drunk continuously it leads your mind into a world of
depression, despair, and sin.
-“Wisdom is a controlled handling of our soul,
carried out, on our soul’s responsibility, measure in proportion.” Drinking is
an award over the years entering adulthood and should be treated as such. It
teaches the body and mind its own limits, but still treated as a gift of small
consumption. It should be enjoyed, never abused.
Ch. 3, Pg.392: A Custom of the Isle of Cea
Summary: “Montaigne shows that philosophy has it’s
own way of favoring self-destruction and of opposing it with equally strong
reasons.Theology classes suicide as a crime because it is defines as prime
despair; where as hope is considered a theological virtue. Montaigne
contradicts these views as he believes suicide can be provoked by
anything-including hope. Montaigne is bold, and even said to be
“Anti-Christian” due to his contradicting views. Even then, he uses the same
arguments that that biblical text does, showing how it bares fault.”
-“I will show you what you have bought; it would be
a shameful for me to be slave when freedom is at hand [jumps to his death].”
This quote is from a story given in the text that depicts a man who was held
captive and sold into slavery. Once given his slave job, he told his owner this
before jumping to his death. The moral being that he would rather die in his
freedom than to live in captivity. This being an analogy towards religious
texts saying how we should be living our lives.
-“We are often brought to it by a burning hope -
often, also, by a clam and certain propensity of our judgement.” Referring to
how people can be blinded by religious text and unable to draw a connection,
not with the bible, but with out own common sense and born judgement. At time
we must open our eyes and surrender to what is in order to move forward, not
just cling to a biblical verse.
Ch.4, Pg.408: Work can wait till Tomorrow (Book 2)
Summary: “Montagne has a lot of respect for
Plutarch’s wisdom but that does not stop him drawing different moral
conclusions. He tries to imitate and rival his views using his own examples.
This chapter is all about Montaigne putting down his opponents view of the
world and morality. Montaigne sees the world through a less religious lens, and
that the working life can be postponed to part take in fun and adventure
(unlike that of the teachings of the bible).”
-“But when all has been said, it is not easy in any
human activity to lay down a rule so well grounded on reasoned argument that
Fortune fails to maintain her rights over it.” Life should be filled with work
indeed, but it should also be filled with some enjoyment in living, while
maintaining a structural income.
Ch.5, Pg.411: On Conscience (Book 2)
Summary: “Conscience is the sense of our individual
right and wrong of our own guilt, this idea fascinated Montaigne. It became a
vital concern during the Wars of Religion with their cruelties, false
accusations, and use of torture on prisoners. These moral basis arose the
question of the use of torture and how it related to conscience. Whether this
strengthen or weaken his power, or if he could with stand pain. His ideas are
greatly influenced by St. Augustine and Juan Vives notes in his edition of the City
of God.”
-“So wondrous
is the power of conscience! It makes us betray, accuse and fight against
ourselves.” Conscience is a gift, as well as a curse. It make us reevaluate
situations from both good and bad angles. It also can fill our heads with guilt
and doubt.
“A mind conscience of what we have done conceives
within our breast either hope or fear, according to our deeds.” if one is to
accuse wrongly of another, that is a weight we must bare over our heads for
life. Montaigne explores this concept by relating it to a story where a women
accuses a man of theft of food. Without any proof, they slit the mans stomach
(killing him of course) to find the food he did in fact steal. But if she was
lying or wrong, the man’s life would have been wrongly taken without cause or
reason.
Ch.6, Pg.416: On Practice (Book 2)
Summary: “This chapter discusses a key event in
Montaigne’s life: the brave but stupid act of one of his laborers who knocked
him senseless from his horse in a minor encounter during the wars of religion. Reflecting
on it lead him to lose the philosophical fear of dying. Philautia, essence of
pride, knowing oneself, and essence of wisdom are also additions to this
chapter. Socrates perceived philosophy as practicing dying (like separation of
the soul from the body). Montaigne shifts more towards ‘practicing
living’.
-Montaigne states, “My business, my art, is to live
my life.” Here is he arguing the Socrates view of living after death, instead
of living in your own present life.
-He closes the chapter with the line, “If any man
knows himself to be thus, let him boldly reveal himself by his own mouth.” In
other words, we should be our own voice and our actions and discipline should
show the type of person we are. No one can tell you that your living your own
life incorrectly.
Ch.7, Pg.428: On Rewards for Honor (Book 2)
Summary: “Montaigne was a knight, but awards became
debased during the Wars of Religion. The Holy Ghost , instituted by Henry III
of France, became a new ceremony for the knights. This lead him to the thought
of inequality among men in this chapter.”
-“it is in truth, a good costume of recognizing the
worth of rare and outstanding men…” Here Montaigne explains that reward and
recognition is important for the few that have earned it. We can not over look
the good that people do and the positive qualities they posses and apply
towards the world around them.
-“It [reward] was never earned by a brave solder but
by a famous leader…” There are also underlying injustices from reward. Some of
the most deserving people are over looked for someone more “famous.” Montaigne
shows this through a story of a war official receiving the honor rather than
the soldier who actually fought on the battle field. This symbolizes inequality
in our world.
Ch.8, Pg.432: On the Affection of fathers for their
Children (Book 2)
Summary: “The most moving and revealing chapter:
starts with an outburst of melancholy which upsets Montaigne’s complexation and
led him to write his essays. talks about how fathers can become mentally
frenzied/crazy enough to fall in love with their own children. he discussed
strange behavior through acting out of depression. Its also revealed that all
of Montaigne's daughters died in infancy (except one daughter). His anger is
reminder of inheritance issues between his mother that subsequently affected
his daughter.
-This chapter is all a story of past events invoking
arguments between Montaigne and his mother over inheritance and other financial
issues. He talks about how boys are able to take head of the family along with
the family’s money.
-“Do we want to be loved by our children,” Montaigne
questions. He describes how parents/guardians must “enriched their loved ones
lives for the better. But never loving them in a way that is viewed
inappropriate. We must wish the best for them, while in the process assist them
in being successful.
-“It is unjust, and mad, to deprive our grown-up
children of easy relations with their fathers by striving to maintain an
austere and contemptuous frown, hoping by that to keep them in fear of
obedience.” Montaigne begins to open up about his feelings as a father, and
starts to show a little emotion in his writing. He believes as a parent, you
are equally ad responsible for your children's well being even into adulthood.
Never neglecting them or removing them from your life. You should maintain
authority to keep them on the right path
“And for those raging vicious passions which have
inflamed fathers with love for their daughters, or mothers for their sons,
similar to another kind of parenthood: the tale of Pygmalion.” The tale depicts
a sculptor who had fallen in love with his own work that he had carved. This
creates an analogy towards parents who fall in love with their own children; a
revolting misbehavior.
Ch.9, Pg.453: On the Armour of the Parthians (Book
2)
Summary: This chapter talks about Montaigne's armor
he wore as a knight. And his lack of trust in. He discusses stories about past
warriors who did or didn't wear armor, Also their success and failures. He relates
them to his own battles as a knight and his diligent training he endured.
-“Although we do see a man killed occasionally for
want of armor, we hardly find fewer who were killed because they were
encumbered by it…” Montaigne explains how the armor was at times a burden, but
was still beneficial. “Alexander, the most daring captain ever, rarely wore
armor.” He uses him as an example as to why it is not a necessity.
-Brief description of a French knight’s armor:
Flexible iron plating along the limbs,, horses also were armed, Metal was used
to strike terror, the metal was incorporate and breathing.
Ch.10, Pg.455: On Books (Book 2)
Summary: “Montaigne shows himself as he went from
studying himself, a man, individually, to progressing to studying Man in
general, and how he should live. He also talks about his influence of other
writers whose works are ‘useful and a delight’. The word useful meaning
learning of moral lessons.”
-“Faults can often escape our vigilance. Knowledge
and truth can lodge within us without judgement. Indeed recognizing our
ignorance is one of the surest to our judgement that I can find.” Montaigne
states this to show people that books can open us up to knowledge and truth in
the world. But our judgment and ignorance can often cast a shadow over the
truth. To learn how to open your mind up to new opinions, thoughts, and logic
is one of the best qualities a person can have.
-“From books all I seek is to give myself pleasure
by an honorable pastime: or if I do study, I seek only that branch of learning
which deals with knowing myself and which teaches me how to live and die well.”
Montaigne uses books to learn and grow. He sees them as very powerful and
beneficial. Even when he reaches passages/words he isa unfamiliar with, he
strives to understand and master their meanings. This concept is what
“learning” is all about.
-Montaigne specifically finds Plutarch (since he has
become a Frenchman) and Seneca as very useful authors. Plutarch-Moral Works and
Seneca-Epistles. He enjoys them because they are most relatable, and
have the “truest opinions” to him. There teachings are “some of the cream to
philosophy.”
Ch.11, Pg.472: On Cruelty (Book 2)
Summary: “In this chapter Montaigne suddenly
realizes that some views of virtue are inadequate to explain the virtues of
Socrates. Keep in mind, Montaigne is a follower of Socrate’s views and
teachings. Montaigne doesn't view cruelty as a deadly sin. He sees cruelty as
rising from sexual encounters/ecstasies.”
-“Virtue rejects ease as a companion, and that the
gentle slope up which are guided the measured steps of a good natural
disposition in not the path of real virtue. Virtue demands a rough and thorny
road.” Virtue, meaning desirable quality in a person, will never one easy. One
must encounter difficulties along the way to really gain anything. These
difficulties are what teach us virtues. For example, having to wait in line for
something can be an inconvenience, but t teaches us the virtue of
patience.
-“Can it be possibly true that to be good in
practice we must needs be so from inborn, all-pervading property hidden within
us, without law, without reason, without example?” Montaigne asks this question
to bring about the possibility that virtues, morals, etc. cannot be taught, but
rather we are selectively born with them. Of course with time, there is always
hope acquire these virtues through teachings and life events. These must be
considered in the mater of cruelty as subsequent to death penalties, torture,
etc.
-“We owe justice to men, and gentleness and kindness
to the creatures. Between them and us [humans and animals], there is some sort
of intercourse and degree of mutual obligation.” Montaigne discusses cruelty of
all different situations. Including animals like stated in this quote. He believes
that animals are living and breathing, and feel emotion and pain like us. We
must treat them equally and with respect. He argues that cruelty is a wrong
doing that can stretch even to animal cruelty.
Vocabulary:
Vices- Wrong doings
Folly- lack of good sense; foolishness
Rapture- feelings of intense pleasure
Connivance-willingness to secretly allow or be
involved in wrongdoing, esp. an immoral or illegal
Philautia- Evil-self love
Austerest- severe or strict in manner, attitude, or
appearance
Tale of Pygmalion- story of a sculptor who fell in
love with his own work that he had carved
Encumbered-restrict or burden (someone or something)
in such a way that free action or movement is difficult
Laboriously- a task, process, or journey; requiring
considerable effort and time
loathed-feel intense dislike or disgust for
Disposition- a person's inherent qualities of mind
and character
Virtue- a quality considered morally good or
desirable in a person
Panache- flamboyant confidence of style or manner
Tyrant- a cruel and oppressive ruler
Debauched- indulging in or characterized by sensual
pleasures to a degree perceived to be morally harmful
Essays Pgs 489-682
Essays Pgs 683-783
End of chapter
12
-A body cannot
reach bigger physical heights or stretches without being called to do so by God
Chapter 13 On
Judging Someone Else's Death
-Dying is most
noteworthy thing in mans life, though it's hard for man to believe his last
hour has come.
-The higher we
believe our importance is, the more we believe we cannot die. So rare and
perfect, the world would be unable to function without us there.
-Emperors
would prolong prisoners death through torture.
-Suicides are
planned but not always followed through by the person so it must be finished by
someone
else.
-It is strange
to have no fear of death and want to taste it
Chapter 14 How
Our Mind Tangles Itself Up
-If we had to
choose between food or drink, we would die of theist and hunger.
Chapter 15
That Difficulty Increases Desire
-When it is
difficult to do or get something it makes us prize things
-Leap over
what is fixed in your path, to chase whatever runs away
-You are found
more beautiful if their are difficulties and hazards to faced rather than those
who are easy
-What is
allowed has no charm: what is not allowed, we burn to do
-Defenses in
home attract offenses. Where leaving door open protects it
Chapter 16 On
Glory
-Glory may be
won but not always earned
-Glory is not
worth it if no one is looking
-Glory is only
worth it when someone can bring news back of your valor
-Honor is
found not in glory but in good deeds
-Even if I did
not follow the right road for its rightness, I would still follow it because I
have found from that experience that, at the end of the day, it is usually the
happiest one and the most useful.
-We are more
concerned that our named be known rather than what is being said about it
-Those who
dies in war are forgotten
-Through
speech and thought, good people are distinguished from bad
Chapter 17 On
Presumption
-Over high
opinion of our own self worth
-Greeting all
with no regard to status has no meaning
-Some get
pleasure from there writing, others don't
-When I read
it over, I am ashamed to have written it, because even I who wrote it judge it
worth erasing
-Men are
judged on height, and without it they are given woman tasks. Not his face nor
hair could make him beautiful
-Some men
gamble all they have once they finally earn it
-Say what you
think, if you pretend and lie it is wicked
-Sometimes we
must tell someone our idea before it vanishes in our soul
-When you give
your self little worth and admirance, it is hard for others to say worse than
you have already divulged
-Many men
consider themselves great, but it is those who value themselves the least who
are never displeased with themselves
Chapter 18 On
Giving The Lie
-You can see
so many people lying and insulting each other to the face, makes narrator proud
to be honest person
Chapter 19 On
Freedom Of Conscience
-The Christian
ruler did some good things of society like lowering taxes and honored his
religion
-The kings
could not do what they wished so they pretended to wish to do what they could
Essays Pgs 784-887
II:37 On the resemblance of children to their
fathers
- he recalls all that he's written up
to this point (this was the ending before book 3)
- colic= abdominal pain, paroxysm=sudden attack of disease; he has a kidney stone
- prodigious= wonderful
- he thinks it's kind of crazy that sperm can pass on not only physical traits but "ways of thinking and their slant of mind"- thinking of the characteristics i have from other family members
- colic= abdominal pain, paroxysm=sudden attack of disease; he has a kidney stone
- prodigious= wonderful
- he thinks it's kind of crazy that sperm can pass on not only physical traits but "ways of thinking and their slant of mind"- thinking of the characteristics i have from other family members
- he wonders how he has a kidney stone like
his father did- not modern medicine or genetics yet
- "the art of medicine is built from examples and experience. So are my opinions."< i thought this was written pretty well, an intro into medicine
- "the art of medicine is built from examples and experience. So are my opinions."< i thought this was written pretty well, an intro into medicine
- nothing can really be enjoyed without good health
- he talks about his ancestors refusing to use
medicine and he doesn't like it either; many examples of healthy people
w/o using medicine/doctors
- medicine for every little thing isn't good; he
compares it to sorcery w/crazy ingredients
- he thinks doctors are concerned about their
reputations and do more harm than good; he wished that they'd specialize and be
more informed on one thing
- criticizes doctors' advice on healthy
living, it's good to do this, but it's bad bc..., there is always a
counterargument for the advice
- salubrious= healthful, wholesome
- inimical= hostile/unfriendly; in
opposition/adverse
- big change in tone- he says he has nothing against
doctors, only against their art
- he calls doctors and lets them see him (WTF?!) total change since he'd been against them for the past 20 pages
- he calls doctors and lets them see him (WTF?!) total change since he'd been against them for the past 20 pages
- he understands that there are arguments made
for medicine and he doesn't not like that there are opposing opinions
(he's ok with it)
-
"In the whole world there has never been two identical opinions, anymore
than two identical hairs or seeds. Their most universal characteristic is
diversity."
-this chapter was full of his opinion, it ended book
2 and shows that this is his own work, he knows that his opinion is
valuable because it is unique and genuine, the whole essays are his perception
of what is. the last quote supports this.
Essays Pgs 891-1016
Book
III
1. On the useful and the honourable
Montaigne's definition of useful, "what is profitable to a man or to his country and every sort of public and private interest."
-- reference to the ancient Roman's aggression of seeking revenge against enemies as an example of "what was useful for what was honourable."
Nothing is useless; everything in Nature has a purpose and a place but it is sometimes diseased with malicious qualities (jealousy, vengeance, superstition...)
Refers to himself as a "weak" who cannot take on the roles of "vigorous and less timorous citizens" (soldiers) who sacrifice their lives for their country
Believes that authority should not abuse power but equitably use it for justice
-- On the Emperor's order, the Romans must punish a pretender but could not legally forgo their mission, therefore they committed their duty "usefully" but not "honourably."
When Montaigne gives the previous example as an act of usefulness but not honor, isn't he going against his own definition of "useful"?
Pretender: a person who claims or aspires to a title or position
Ignominy: public shame or disgrace
Lists examples of an inferior betraying it's authority and the consequences behind it --a slave runs away from his or her master is hung as an example for other insurgents
"The master flogs the pupil because he was willing to learn, and the guide flogs the blind man." The cruel reality of what we call justice.
"We wrongfully adduce the honour and beauty of an activity from it's usefulness..."
-- a soldier is 'honored' for killing his own brother during the Civil War fought against the same side and blood
-- Why is society corrupting the beauty of honor for it's materialistic reward?
2. On repenting
Montaigne states that "repenting consists not in regret but in denying the rightness of what one had formerly willed."
Only repent in the presence of God.
Symbolizes the world as a perennial see-saw with instability in it's realm
-- people change whether it be from a sudden epiphany or a sudden gain of different attributes or aspects from life
"... I rarely repent and that my conscience is happy with itself - not as the consciences of an angel... of a man"
-- ties in the religious element that all men are sinners in the eyes of the Lord; no man is perfect
Montaigne states that only you know yourself well enough to make a judgement on whether or not you are evil, no one else can because others can only surmise about you from your outside standards which does not reveal the true character
-- society can only judge the outer shell of a person
Alludes to Alexander the Great and Socrates, neither can replace the other, as one is a man of strength and the other of poetic expression.
Nature vs nurture, breaking away from parental supervision and finding one's own form of expression
A story about a peasant is told, his name Pincher. One day, he decides to become a thief to escape the poverty. He began growing vegetables on other men's land and in one night, would load all the produce on his back and sell it in the market. In his old age, he was a wealthy man as the money added up. He swore to compensate the victims he stole from but he does not repent on his actions as he would choose wealth over poverty any day.
-- Is repentance a form of action or a mental revival?
Condemning one's self and wishing to be reborn is not a form of repentance; repenting is being in harmony with one's self.
3. On three kinds of social intercourse
Loving friendship, loving relationships with women, and reading books
--all three engage the whole man, soul and body; synonymous to honor and decent
People should adapt to change to show more variety and flexibility like Cato who is the epitome of versatility.
Exceptional friendship is difficult to find and should be hungered for.
Montaigne expresses that discussion is the key to an intimate friendship whether it be one with depth or a casual conversation.
States that love can come in forms of pleasure or a relationship, doesn't find intimate pleasure as a bad thing but describes love as dangerous
-- shared intimacy with a prostitute and in result got syphilis
The presence of a book alone should be comforting, one does not necessarily have to read a book to understand the pleasures of it.
Introduces a flashback where Montaigne would spent time in his library as it oversaw his backyard, garden, and the majority of his house with a book in hand.
Humans have the power to choose a good book but often do not select the "right" one. In a deeper meaning, people often are tempted into the wrong path when they have the power to choose which road to take.
4. On diversion
Diversion: an instance of turning something aside from its course
Pain and grief cannot be easily cured but it can be diverted into a less agonizing scar; most people search for diversion to assuage their pain(s).
-- military diversions often used in history to lure the enemy from their lands, political diversion also common but does not wish to explain it (Why?)
Examples of different types of diversion:
--Personal gain: Atalanta was a woman of outstanding beauty with whom many men wished to wed. She proposed that any man who could beat her in a race could have her hand in marriage, but those who lost would be killed. Hippomenes, a possible suitor, prayed to the goddess of amorous passion who offered him beautiful golden apples. During his race against Atalanta, he dropped the diversion and she immediately stopped at it's beauty. He had won the race.
--Acceptance: Socrates was a man of wisdom who greeted death as an normal countenance. He had trained himself to accept the irrevocable death.
5. On some lines by Virgil
Historical background: concern over marriage and human sexuality during the Renaissance period
-- Montaigne is more open; he had scandalous affairs with "young unmarried men and married ladies."
Afraid to be weighed down by wisdom and therefore fears excess wisdom.
-- He then contradicts himself saying the deeper one's knowledge is, the better.
Expresses his sadness in growing old, but is young still young at heat, also more sentimental
Old age should not stop one from creative imagination
Malady: a disease of ailment
Believes in self-content
Poetry is a beautiful form of expression
Likes the idea of arranged marriage (take into consideration the time period and how important family lineage was)
Marriage is a fellowship which does not necessarily involve Cupid (love), it is more of an investment for a solid foundation for the future.
Recalcitrant: having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline
"Serve him like a master: watch him like a traitor." Refers to a woman who watches her husband.
Supportive of women rights as society's moral rules were created by just men in the first place
Women have been trained since they were young to marry: cooking, cleaning, primping, etc, while men wait find their partner through destiny.
Women of different cultures behave differently towards men (men lure women by any means)
-- Kingdom of Pegu, women wore nothing but a kirtle slit which basically revealed everything
-- Livia, women see a naked man as nothing but a statue
-- Sparta, women witness young men take everything off for their exercises
Women can be just as disnatured and damaging as men
Jealously corrupts the beauty of a relationship
Compares a wild animal to a woman, both possess avid and greedy nature
Enjoys to travel as he can put on a new persona and not have any pre-judgments on him
Mankind is cruel as we manipulate Nature to please our accommodations.
His passion for love drives him to live life.
Reciprocity very important in love life as women often times portray a relationship entirely in their heads.
1. On the useful and the honourable
Montaigne's definition of useful, "what is profitable to a man or to his country and every sort of public and private interest."
-- reference to the ancient Roman's aggression of seeking revenge against enemies as an example of "what was useful for what was honourable."
Nothing is useless; everything in Nature has a purpose and a place but it is sometimes diseased with malicious qualities (jealousy, vengeance, superstition...)
Refers to himself as a "weak" who cannot take on the roles of "vigorous and less timorous citizens" (soldiers) who sacrifice their lives for their country
Believes that authority should not abuse power but equitably use it for justice
-- On the Emperor's order, the Romans must punish a pretender but could not legally forgo their mission, therefore they committed their duty "usefully" but not "honourably."
When Montaigne gives the previous example as an act of usefulness but not honor, isn't he going against his own definition of "useful"?
Pretender: a person who claims or aspires to a title or position
Ignominy: public shame or disgrace
Lists examples of an inferior betraying it's authority and the consequences behind it --a slave runs away from his or her master is hung as an example for other insurgents
"The master flogs the pupil because he was willing to learn, and the guide flogs the blind man." The cruel reality of what we call justice.
"We wrongfully adduce the honour and beauty of an activity from it's usefulness..."
-- a soldier is 'honored' for killing his own brother during the Civil War fought against the same side and blood
-- Why is society corrupting the beauty of honor for it's materialistic reward?
2. On repenting
Montaigne states that "repenting consists not in regret but in denying the rightness of what one had formerly willed."
Only repent in the presence of God.
Symbolizes the world as a perennial see-saw with instability in it's realm
-- people change whether it be from a sudden epiphany or a sudden gain of different attributes or aspects from life
"... I rarely repent and that my conscience is happy with itself - not as the consciences of an angel... of a man"
-- ties in the religious element that all men are sinners in the eyes of the Lord; no man is perfect
Montaigne states that only you know yourself well enough to make a judgement on whether or not you are evil, no one else can because others can only surmise about you from your outside standards which does not reveal the true character
-- society can only judge the outer shell of a person
Alludes to Alexander the Great and Socrates, neither can replace the other, as one is a man of strength and the other of poetic expression.
Nature vs nurture, breaking away from parental supervision and finding one's own form of expression
A story about a peasant is told, his name Pincher. One day, he decides to become a thief to escape the poverty. He began growing vegetables on other men's land and in one night, would load all the produce on his back and sell it in the market. In his old age, he was a wealthy man as the money added up. He swore to compensate the victims he stole from but he does not repent on his actions as he would choose wealth over poverty any day.
-- Is repentance a form of action or a mental revival?
Condemning one's self and wishing to be reborn is not a form of repentance; repenting is being in harmony with one's self.
3. On three kinds of social intercourse
Loving friendship, loving relationships with women, and reading books
--all three engage the whole man, soul and body; synonymous to honor and decent
People should adapt to change to show more variety and flexibility like Cato who is the epitome of versatility.
Exceptional friendship is difficult to find and should be hungered for.
Montaigne expresses that discussion is the key to an intimate friendship whether it be one with depth or a casual conversation.
States that love can come in forms of pleasure or a relationship, doesn't find intimate pleasure as a bad thing but describes love as dangerous
-- shared intimacy with a prostitute and in result got syphilis
The presence of a book alone should be comforting, one does not necessarily have to read a book to understand the pleasures of it.
Introduces a flashback where Montaigne would spent time in his library as it oversaw his backyard, garden, and the majority of his house with a book in hand.
Humans have the power to choose a good book but often do not select the "right" one. In a deeper meaning, people often are tempted into the wrong path when they have the power to choose which road to take.
4. On diversion
Diversion: an instance of turning something aside from its course
Pain and grief cannot be easily cured but it can be diverted into a less agonizing scar; most people search for diversion to assuage their pain(s).
-- military diversions often used in history to lure the enemy from their lands, political diversion also common but does not wish to explain it (Why?)
Examples of different types of diversion:
--Personal gain: Atalanta was a woman of outstanding beauty with whom many men wished to wed. She proposed that any man who could beat her in a race could have her hand in marriage, but those who lost would be killed. Hippomenes, a possible suitor, prayed to the goddess of amorous passion who offered him beautiful golden apples. During his race against Atalanta, he dropped the diversion and she immediately stopped at it's beauty. He had won the race.
--Acceptance: Socrates was a man of wisdom who greeted death as an normal countenance. He had trained himself to accept the irrevocable death.
5. On some lines by Virgil
Historical background: concern over marriage and human sexuality during the Renaissance period
-- Montaigne is more open; he had scandalous affairs with "young unmarried men and married ladies."
Afraid to be weighed down by wisdom and therefore fears excess wisdom.
-- He then contradicts himself saying the deeper one's knowledge is, the better.
Expresses his sadness in growing old, but is young still young at heat, also more sentimental
Old age should not stop one from creative imagination
Malady: a disease of ailment
Believes in self-content
Poetry is a beautiful form of expression
Likes the idea of arranged marriage (take into consideration the time period and how important family lineage was)
Marriage is a fellowship which does not necessarily involve Cupid (love), it is more of an investment for a solid foundation for the future.
Recalcitrant: having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline
"Serve him like a master: watch him like a traitor." Refers to a woman who watches her husband.
Supportive of women rights as society's moral rules were created by just men in the first place
Women have been trained since they were young to marry: cooking, cleaning, primping, etc, while men wait find their partner through destiny.
Women of different cultures behave differently towards men (men lure women by any means)
-- Kingdom of Pegu, women wore nothing but a kirtle slit which basically revealed everything
-- Livia, women see a naked man as nothing but a statue
-- Sparta, women witness young men take everything off for their exercises
Women can be just as disnatured and damaging as men
Jealously corrupts the beauty of a relationship
Compares a wild animal to a woman, both possess avid and greedy nature
Enjoys to travel as he can put on a new persona and not have any pre-judgments on him
Mankind is cruel as we manipulate Nature to please our accommodations.
His passion for love drives him to live life.
Reciprocity very important in love life as women often times portray a relationship entirely in their heads.
Essays Pgs 1017-1133
Book
III Essay 6. On coaches
-Links
the ideas of luxury, generosity, and magnificence against cruelty, vulgarity,
greed, and ostentation (flashiness).
-The
concept of Coaches resembles symbols of status as in chariots or all wheeled
vehicles. Are put in comparison to American Indian Cultures.
-Describes
that authors must use originality, beauty, and have a sense of ingenious about
their writing.
-Throughout
the text the author inserts quotes from other philosophers or poets that
support his points in his text.
-Origin
of the sneeze in how people state Bless you due to the last shot of wind out of
three, the first dirty, the second, gluttony and the third, blameless. Depicts
that many customs are followed without great understanding and the human race
must understand.
-“Must
blend art with nature” within authors writing
-Authors
need to write from experience not just for the sake of argument.
-Relates
to Socrates to depict his quote, “... A great Captain, teaching us that nothing
casts us into dangers so much as a rash hunger to get out of them.” Therefore
implying that like Socrates and Laches retreat in battle, the human race is
more afraid to stand up for themselves than to face the issue at hand.
Therefore causing more danger or harm to the subject at hand.
-Personification
of fear, nature, and courage. “Nature, having exposed me on one flank has
covered me on the other, having stripped me of fortitude she has equipped me
with an inability to feel and with blunted balanced powers of anticipation.”
-Uses
references to Mark Antony, Heliogabalus, Theophrastus (On Riches) and Aristotle. To show the lack of confidence that
people have within Monarchs and that speculation on all authority due to tales
of kings personal interests on themselves rather than their people. –
-“Moreover
to their subjects who form the spectators of these festivities, it seems that
it is their own wealth that is being flaunted and that they are being feasted
at their own expense.” Resembles greed of the wealthy.
-“If
you want a good crop, you must broadcast your seed not pour it from your sack.”
In this it means you must not focus in one area in that you have to be well
rounded.
-The
author talks from subject to subject as if in a conversation with random
inserts. Also called stream of consciousness.
-Goes
into house and loan payments and the difference between taking and giving.
-Embraces
the beauty of architecture of the French amphitheaters. Talks about the trap
doors and wild attractions. Also show the elaborate decorations of wealth that
are displayed by the king. Author states that the people feel in great events
like they are being celebrated so the wealth is equalized.
-However,
over the years author says that generations lack knowledge of other
generations. In this I see that this does occur because when I look back to my
own history I can’t recall the names of many of my ancestors who have long
passed. Showing a lack of communication in all generations and “…a very false
idea of everything.”
-Also
suggests that memories don’t retain all the information given.
-Uses
of metaphors. “It was still naked at the breast, living only by what its
nursing Mother provided.” Referring to the Earth.
-Harquebuses-
an early type of portable gun supported by a forked rest.
-Contrasts
the European and Indian lifestyle in that some would rather self-inflict death
than have another power take over the control of their country. Spoke of the
Conquistadors and the Aztec people of South America, had historical back ground.
-Transitions
into the fortune of death and religious beliefs that were to be forced onto the
Indian people of South America.
-Enters
into greed of the Spanish with the Killing of the King of Peru and the King of
Mexico.
-In
the end of the essay the author relates everything back to the beginning in
that coaches resemble a chance to flee or to pursue.
Book
III Essay 7. On high rank as a disadvantage
-“…
there are defects in all things, no matter how beautiful or desirable they may
be.” The topic of the essay was to show that in highly prominent people of
every society there are flaws.
-The
author states I am young, I have a lot to learn in that nature and others will
have to teach me a lot before I have the slightest of knowledge.
-The
author says he has never wished of a higher rank and says he appreciates his
rank as it is. Although he states that everyone wants to fit in.
-With
these statements he then says that he tends to contradict himself a lot within
each essay. However, he has an open mind but never said he was smart because he
doesn’t necessarily believe in it.
-“..
I do not measure my fortune by its height: I measure it by its pleasantness.”
Meaning that wealth isn’t a matter of money but of happiness.
-Expresses
his thoughts with examples of Cicero, Marcus Regulus, Lucius Thorius Balbus and
Otanes.
-“There
are few matters on which we can give an unbiased judgement because there are
few in which we do not have a private interest some way or other.”
-Use
of rhetorical questions. ‘What part can they play in a friendly skirmish if
everyone in it is on their side?”
-“Further
still, lechery has been in fashion and every kind of licentiousness, as also
have disloyalty, blasphemy, cruelty, as well as heresy and superstition,
irreligion and decadence, and even worse things if worse there be…” Showing the
problems of the higher rank.
Book
III Essay 8. On the art of conversation
-
The essay gives the overall character of Montaigne on how he thinks about and
talks to others.
-“We
do not improve the man we hang: we improve others by him.” Showing that in
punishment we show what you don’t want to happen so you don’t end in the same
way. Lead by example of what not or what to do.
-Author
says that the most important thing for the mind is conversation.
-“…Elder
Cato was thinking of when he said that the wise have more to learn from the
fools than the fools from the wise.” In this the author uses an outside source
to support his idea that the smart learn more effectively.
-“What
hits you affects you and wakes you up more than what pleases you.” The quote
reflects on the fact that a loss teaches you more than a win in that you have
to look back at what you did wrong in order to fix it because if you never see
what you are doing wrong in a winning situation you will find out when it
really matters.
-“Rivalry,
competitiveness and glory will drive me and raise me above my own level.”
Showing that healthy competition will make you a better person or better at a
certain trade than opponents, increasing your level of status or ability.
-Again
uses rhetorical questions
-Goes
into the subject of judgment in how others are seen within conversation and how
he perceives others. Talks about others as rude for passing judgment but he
does the same, in stating that other people are “stupid” when they speak. Also
he hates disordered conversation; however he doesn’t have order to his own
essays and tends to go off on tangents.
-Gives
advice on how it is sometimes better to remain silent instead of speaking
because status is perceived from intelligence in conversation.
-Erudition-
the quality of having or showing great knowledge
-“…What
greater victory do you want than to teach your enemy that he cannot stand up to
you?” Reflects on the idea that the author wants to teach his prominence to
others when he speaks.
-Uses
people as examples such as Plato, Timon, Democritus,
-Escutcheon-
a small shield or emblem
-“A
hundred times a day when we go mocking our neighbor we are really mocking
ourselves.” Showing that we shouldn’t make fun of others in terms of
conversation.
-Author
says that you learn from experiences shown by nature.
-Minds
are always thinking and emotions are always flowing so you can never be quite
sure what the other is thinking.
-“My
reason was not made for bending and bowing, my knees were.” Emphasizing that he
isn’t going to make himself dumb for other people who are smarter than her is
but he will respect people of higher status.
-Debonair-
confident, stylish, and charming
-Uses
analogies to try and make ideas simpler to the reader and clarifications.
-Talks
about how people can make derogatory comments when they are joking that would
otherwise be rude in serious situations.
-“No
huckster wins every haggle.” In addition means that in order for comments to be
taught in a joking situation you also have to take a few hits as the author
points out.
-The
author also writes about perspectives and says that certain people would be
better at governing Rome than the modern ruler of the time. Talking about Pompey
as the ruler and Tacitus. However later states he doesn’t trust Tacitus which
completely contradicts his first statement.
-Grosso
modo (in French)- means roughly in English
Book
III Essay 9. On vanity
-Talks
about authors and people who only go in circles with their writings like
Pythagoras. States, “So many words about nothing but words!” The statement is
sort of ironic because this book is enormous.
-“When
my condition is bad I cling violently to my illness: I abandon myself to
despair and let myself go towards catastrophe, casting as they say the haft
after the axe-head; stubbornly, I want to get worse and think myself no longer
worth curing.” In this the author means that in times of illness you crave
affection from others and are self-concerned and when others are you aren’t as
likely to feel as much as if it were yourself.
-The
author finds himself more prayerful in good fortune rather than bad. He speaks
a lot of fortune throughout the essay.
-Talks
about religion in how many believe a king is who brings good weather to the
people when it is an act of God.
-Awry-
away from the appropriate, planned, or expected course.
-“His
foolishness would not justify my wishing him more.” The author states this
because he doesn’t think he needs to help fools because if you give fools more
wealth they will just lose it again. Also has another example of this in that a
man gave a banker money to give to his sons if they turned out to be fools.
However the idea doesn’t make sense because the fools will again lose the
money. The point showing that some people can’t be given things because they
won’t learn.
-The
author then transitions into problems in saying you can’t let water keep
dripping into a rock because one of these days it will cause a crack, which means
that if you let the small problems keep going by, one of these days it will
turn into a huge problem.
-There
is always going to be someone better than you at something so when someone is
asked whose wine is better it is typically going to be the others in reality
because sometimes you aren’t better than.
-Author
states that you can’t have knowledge without logic and it would be ridiculous
if you only had one.
-Refers
to Plato, Socrates, Pythagoras, Pacuvius Calavius, and Ceaser.
-Says
that he trusts the young more because they are less corrupt by bad example and
they are more open minded.
-Puerile-
childish, silly and trivial
-“Many
by their fear of being cheated have taught others to cheat; others have found
justification for wrong-doing in suspicion thrown upon them.” Showing that by
example people find that cheating and lying is a good way to get out of
situations that they knew were wrong but did it anyway.
-“Slavery
is the obedience of a weak and despondent mind lacking in will.” I strongly disagree
in this particular subject because many people have the will and strength to
puch to be free however they can’t escape, that is not of weak mind because
they never stop trying.
-Author
uses similes. “Once I am away my soul can easily find detachment; when I am
there she frets like a wine-grower’s.”
-Talks
about how he doesn’t like when people talk poorly to their servants or about
their servants while the host has company. He would rather it be done in
private, therefore showing his inability to accept lower classes and his
inability to say what is right in that they shouldn’t be treated poorly at all.
-Says
that everyone tries to mold and fit into the common opinion, including himself,
even though he claims he doesn’t, but his writing contradicts himself.
-Nations
can be well sustained under strong customs, but when traveling it is important
to have an open mind and learn about other customs of other nations in which
they live by.
-Many
people don’t want to change within a society, they want to over throw what they
don’t like which is proven in many examples of every revolution that has
occurred throughout history.
-Oligarchy-
a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or
institution
-If
we all fall together then nobody really falls, meaning that if everyone lowers
a class or losses a class then it doesn’t really change the status of the
nation.
-Author
goes into memory and states that you can’t rely on your memory because it won’t
work for you in situations. Gives an example of Lyncestes who was accused of
conspiring against Alexander, in which Lyncestes prepares a speech but when it
comes time to preform it he loses the words and his silence looks as if he were
guilty, so he is killed due to his brain.
-On
a side note the author talks about how he feels that he should never go back
and fix punctuation or grammar because he thinks that he should finish his
thought even if it doesn’t make sense. Also he feels that by revising the
essays he would change pieces too much that audience members would have to buy
a whole new book.
-Then
goes back into the essay talking about trust, in that you should never be
obligated to give more trust than is received.
-Says
when someone is told to do a duty they should want to the duty or else the duty
will be done “slakingly.”
-Personifies
fortune. “My fortune has not allowed me to give much to others, and the little
she has allowed me has been lodged with the very poor. “
-Says
that his most cherished characteristics are idleness and frankness.
-Simile.
“I take to rain and mud like a duck.”
-
Says he needs a wife to be a housekeeper that is the most important thing when
he is away traveling. Alternates between home and travel.
-“Adapting
myself to common prejudice.” Shows that he wants to be “common” or “normal” in
the eyes of others.
-We
are the only ones who give the power for others to judge us.
-“
Our life is governed by Fortune not philosophy.” Showing that what happens is
meant to be.
-“…all
wisdom is vanity.” Reflecting on why the chapter is called what it is even
though the titles don’t resemble what each essay is about.
-We
are in rules with our own morals not Gods. Author says that he will do as he
pleases.
-Many
people take things for granted and aren’t responsible for their deeds.
-Goes
into poetry and again states, “I change subject violently and chaotically. My
pen and my mind both go a-roaming.”
-Says
that actual sites or ruins of past wondrous places are more often seen rather
than old texts that should hold more value.
-At
the end of the essay the author talks about his citizenship, “Authentic Bull of
Roman Citizenship,” and talks about a few of the versions till the completion
of the essay.
Essays Pgs 1134-1206
Book III Essay
10: On Restraining You’re Will
Will- the mental
faculty by which one deliberately chooses or decides upon a course of action.
Restrain- to exhibit
from doing, exhibiting, or expressing something.
-
For someone to restrain their own will means for that person to make a choice
and to stop taking action on a certain
subject or matter that may naturally occur for them to do without really
thinking about it.
“I
exercise great care to extend by reason and reflection this privileged lack of
emotion, which is by nature well advanced in me”
-
He is saying in order for him to restrain from what human nature usually
intends him to move towards, he exercises this emotion by reason and reflection
in order to control this way of life.
“The only reasons why they seek occupations are
to be occupied.”
-
He says this to prove a point that the only reason people either choose to
start an argument or get pulled into a specific course of action is to stay
busy. It may not always be a person wanting to constantly be doing something
but instead that person is just unable to stay still, so they choose to start a
fight, or take action, or revolt because it is their will to do so.
“He
who does not live a little for others hardly lives at all for himself.”
-
He explains that a man who doesn’t know his true duties and doesn’t practice
them doesn’t live for himself and therefore will never truly be happy without a
loving friendship not only between other people but more importantly himself.
“A
man who reacts with greater moderation towards winning or losing is always ‘at
home’: the less he goads himself on and the less passionate he is about the
game, the mot surely and successfully he plays it.”
-
I disagree with this statement because the more passionate a person is about
something the more likely they are to achieve it and win. He is trying to say
that the better a person handles winning or losing in a situation, the game
will be successfully played no matter what. If we really want something bad
enough losing it won’t be an option we would find a way to successfully play
out whatever situation we are put in. Even if we do by some chance lose it we
would come to terms knowing that we tried all we can to ensure we wouldn’t.
Knowing there wasn’t anything we could do, and then be able to move on from it.
“If
you do not stop the start, you will never stop the race.”
-
Here he is talking about a person’s emotions, that if a person cannot stop
their emotions they won’t ever be able to chase them out. Once emotions have
taken over it indulges the body into being shaken and vulnerable to weaknesses
that can venture on deep within oneself and will never be able to be
controlled.
Overall
in this essay he talks about human nature and the evils that come along with it
and how he restrains from his own will in a calm and sensible way that human
nature doesn’t naturally allow us to do. In explaining his beliefs he
references the Bible, philosophers, and writers.
Book III Essay
11: On the Lame
Lame- disabled so
that movement, especially walking, is difficult or impossible.
“I
was recently letting my mind range wildly (as I often do) over our human reason
and what a rambling and roving instrument it is”
-
He states here that he lets his mind wander all the time which deduces stream
of consciousness. Then he goes into how people point out facts without reasons
behind them for being true.
“By
man’s tendency to work hard at feeding rumors.”
-
He goes onto explain that it is human nature for even facts to be questioned
because not everybody who relays information onto another person knows where
the truth or story first took place. People keep on relaying the information
they heard onto other people because it is natural to feed into these so called
facts that along the way could have exaggerated a little bit to make what has been told more
interesting. We as humans have a natural tendency to twist the truth to make it
more appealing.
“Men
place more trust in whatever they do not understand.”
-
He elaborates on the local witches and how so many people believe that they are
real because it is easier for them to believe things that are unknown to them
and that more of the majority believes than the minority. While he believes in
God and doesn’t believe in these false pretenses. People are afraid to stand
alone in something so they rather ride the bandwagon and become involved with a
belief that is more interesting.
“The
lame man does it best.”
-
Was a saying applied to both male and females and lame references crippled body
parts that didn’t function properly. He states that he got the most pleasure
from a deformed woman but was very charming. It is famous ancient saying that
applied to Venus.
In
this essay he explains how it is a natural tendency for humans to not know the
truth but make inferences about what they believe to be true. The truth can be
turned into many opinions based and how the truth extended is from its staring
point. People tend to stick with what they believe to be true rather than
forming or staying true to their own thoughts.
Book III Essay
12: On Physiognomy
Physiognomy- the art of
judging human character from facial features.
“In
learning as in everything else, we suffer from lack of temperance.”
-
He explains that when it comes to wealth, pleasure, and power we as humans are
greedy and don’t know how to control our want for such desires. The same goes
for knowledge we get too consumed in attaining these desires, that instead of
gaining wealth, power, or pleasure these wants that we all are fighting for
will burden us and destroy us rather than help and nourish us.
-
“According to Plato, the ultimate species of injustice is when what is unjust
is held to be just.”
-
According to him, he believes that there is nothing more unjust than when
something wicked becomes lawful. Bad situations are bad for a reason and they
don’t change unless justice takes place. In scenarios where cruel events take
place and they are trying to be proved to be just is when the worst case
scenario becomes unimaginable. Injustice is just that, it is wrong for a reason
and in no way shape or form should it be proven to be right.
“True
freedom is to have power over oneself to do anything with oneself.”
-
He says this to show that a man can never truly be free of restraints and
obstacles unless they our within their own boundaries under their own terms. A
man who has control over himself is free to choose his own way of life and make
his own decisions without worrying about what other people think or how they
feel. Nobody can make you happy unless a person is happy with themselves first.
The power of freedom over oneself can be harder to attain but is not unlikely
to have, a person just has to be willing to fight for it.
“The
possibility of suffering makes one as sad as actual suffering.”
-
Here he states this because he is in a period of war and illness and with
people awaiting death all around him. People who think about suffering feel the
grief of actual suffering, because knowing something is going to happen can be
a blessing or a curse. In this case it’s a curse because preparing to die is as
excruciating as actual pain. The thought of knowing something’s going to happen
makes that person become tormented by when it’s going to take place. The
feeling of not knowing when a person’s time to feel pain is coming is already
torture in itself. Anticipating the future of death is as bad as actual suffering
because everybody’s afraid of the unknown.
“It matters much to souls in what sort of body
they are lodged: for many of the body’s qualities serve to sharpen the mind and
many others make it obtuse.”
-
He goes on to talk about physical appearances and how ugliness and deformity
can have an effect on a person and on what other people think of them. In the
case of Socrates who was an ugly man, he had the most beautiful mind and soul.
The saying might not mean a person has to be beautiful to have a beautiful soul
it could mean in Socrates case, that maybe he was made ugly in order to show
people how the beauty in his words made him appear not only beautiful on the
inside but a more appealing person on the outside. Being beautiful can have two
different meanings but by a person being beautiful on the outside doesn’t make
them beautiful on the inside, because true beauty comes from within.
Here
in this essay he goes on to talk about some human nature qualities and how we
as people tend to have greedy desires which causes us to not be free from
ourselves. He skips around to a lot of different subjects to suffering to
referencing God, Plato, and Socrates, and explaining occurrences he had with
people. In some places he was talking in second person and he would always
compare Socrates morals to his beliefs. This essay had a lot of jumping around
but its main purpose was to prove that beauty on the outside may have some
influence on other people but if a person had true beauty within themselves
then they will be seen as beautiful to all who listen to them.
Essays Pgs 1206-1269
Book 3: Essay 13 (pgs 1206-1269)
-Desire for knowledge is most natural
-Use experience when reason fails
-Have to recognize differences and variety which comes with experience
-Allude to story of Delphi and picking which egg went to which hen
(important)
-Allude to Perrozet and ability to decipher cards
-Being similar doesn’t make people “one” as much as being different
make people “other” (nature favors)
-No relationship between actions and fixed unchanging laws
-Uses rhetorical questions
-Our laws are too entangled and complicated
-Favors simplicity and nature
-Lawyers are example of bad laws (spread us thin and increase doubts)
-How do we change our ways?
-Man is ironic because gets caught in own works/mess
-Reference to Aesop and of licking path in river and drowns
-Create pictures with descriptions to help reader understand
-Concept of highest achieving man having climbed one more step than
predecessor. Should he be praised?
-Laws turn us against each other and we fear what it can make of us.
Stripped of humanity
-Run from someone who is stabbed for fear of questioning
-Ironic: sentences more criminal than actual crime
-Growth and continual learning is key to mind and powers
-French laws vague and people disobey because no order or clarity. What
if absolutely no law, what happens then?
-Have to learn abut yourself before you can learn about something else:
endless wisdom and experience, shows how much left to still learn
-Trust Socrates because same philosophy as Montaigne and wise
-Be blunt and take criticism with grain of salt which will release love
-Example of experience in medical profession; only trust dr who have
has illness they are trying to cure
-If know yourself then don’t need a doctor because know what hurts you
and helps you: experience
-Pleasure is acceptable but wrong to get pulled from habits in which
medicine and illness do
-Life is suffering so learn to deal with it(everyone suffers not only
one person)
-Reference God, Plato, Aescolapius
-Montaigne has big ego, why does he rebel against authority? (possibly
believe in “trust no one and find out for yourself)
-Yet he is religious and goes to church and follows the doctrine?
-Describes in great detail the experience of painful illness (possibly
kidney stones?)
-Tries to hide pain of his illness
-Dislikes medicine and doctors from bad care?
-References death and soul has “she”, does this represent view of
women?
-Continually references nature as “she” so death and soul coincide?
-Reference Dantes Inferno and Styx River
-Death is inevitable, comes whenever, born to die
-Was a healthy and active man but illness has deteriorated him inside
and out (aged)
-Fancied father because taught him values of the poor and as a boy
Montaigne was picky and strange
-Example referenced to habits of Flaminius and Pyrrhus
-Montaigne learned to help others, no matter class
-Eats in excess and talks of diets so joins dinner parties later
(change habits/routines) to refrain from over eating
-Emphasizes and repeats that he over eats yet is picky and still looks
down upon excess?
-CONTINUAL THEME: Change and variation from experiences: appetite, law,
medicine, child from parent, habits
-Values nature
-He has seen death and has new found respect whereas someone who hasn’t
experienced death can’t appreciate life
-Keeps referring to drinking and justifying why he drinks but
advocating for temperance?
-Told stories of Socrates and daring, brave, and restrained in values
and why he is so respected (pg 1260-1261)
-Reflected how Montaigne tries to live life
-Utilizes oxymoron’s to convey point about pleasure and pain
-Write this to find peace in death?
-“Your only gain lies in the chase”- keep striving to be better,
continual learning
-Montaigne emphasizes that he is his own person and wants to die
knowing he did the right thing in life and in the after life won’t have to
subject himself to another
-MAIN IDEAS: Independent person, his sickness, unjust laws, too
persistent medicine, nature is beauty, and continual change and versatility
comes from EXPERIENCE
Vocab
Assay- examine, analyze
Animus- strong dislike, hostile attitude
Licentious- unrestrained
Pullulate- produce, increase rapidly
Macerate- to soften, decompose, separate into
pieces
Exegesis- Critical interpretation/ explanation
of text
Quibbling- ambiguous language to avoid the
point
Dearth- lack of scarcity
Belabour- work on persistency
Collaborated with Taylor Williams, Haley Stowe, Haley Kestler, Megan Stevens, Imanie Patel, Elizabeth Smith, Victoria Tonascia, Judith Lee, Shailynn Joseph, and Hannah Hurd.
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