Montaigne
essays. Pgs 1-120The
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 RomeEssays-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
The
Essays of Montaigne Notes
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 ofadestrer 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?
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
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
How
do we change our ways?
Man
is ironic because gets caught in own works/mess
Create
pictures with descriptions to help reader understand
Laws
turn us against each other and we fear what it can make of us.
Stripped of humanity
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)
Montaigne
has big ego, why does he rebel against authority? (possibly believe
in “trust no one and find out for yourself)
Describes
in great detail the experience of painful illness (possibly kidney
stones?)
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
CONTINUAL
THEME: Change and variation from experiences: appetite, law,
medicine, child from parent, habits
Values
nature
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)
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
II:26
On thumbs
anecdote-
story of barbarian kings making treaties by pressing right thumbs
together, pricking, then sucking each other's blood.
thumb=master
finger according to doctors
French
word=pouce from Latin verb pollere=to excel in strength;
Greek=anticheir- "another hand"
Rome-
sign of approval to turn and twist thumbs downward; dissaproval to
extend and raise upward
Romans
didnt have to serve in army if they had an injured thumb (couldn't
hold weapons)
Augustus
took away property of Roman knight who cut off his sons' thumbs so
...^
Cauis
V cut off L thumb to not fight and punnished to life imrisonment
General
cut off thumbs of defeated enemies
Athenians
cut off Aeginan men's thumbs to deprive of "naval superiority"
schoolmaster
punnished by biting thumbs
II:27
On cowardice, the mother of cruelty
he's
experienced that the worst people have a "womanish weakness"
[patriarchal society, women percieved as weak, an insult to men]
frivolous=
little of value/trivial; silly/light minded
crying
is a weakness
"valour
stops short when it sees the enemy at its mercy"= loss of
courage/bravery/honor when there's an open target in battle
pusillanimity(cowardly)
to murder someone
he
questions why all arguments have to end in death and killing. Says
cowardice is the cause.
revenge
must be felt by both parties to enjoy on one side and to learn from
on the other(he cant leanr if he dies)
he
says battle scome from men too scared to duel on their own
different
views on fencing; art/craft
not
liking how gentlemen act as soldiers in all affairs
tyrants
"fearing all, he strikes at all"- cowardly to exterminate
those w/the potential to do harm to you
torture-sucks
II:28
There is a season for everything
^including
good- "the wise man sets limits even to things which are good"
"'Youth
should make provisions: Old Age should enjoy them,' say the wise"-
how human nature is always wanting youth
always
wanting to learn and start new again, even if old
He
likes closure in his own life and doesn't do anything for more than
a year; he starts new and says goodbye
for
him, old age just seccures the worries he has about everything in
life
"we
can always continue our studies, but not our school-work"
study
something suitable to our circumstances-study to happily leave it
behind you when you die
Young
Cato- killed himself- why?; he died to stop the wondering,is anyone
ever ready to go? even when they're still learning?
II:29
On virtue
"There
is nothing we cannot do"
once
ideas are planted in one's mind and the person is determined,
anything can happen
Pyrrho-philosopher,
adiaphora(not required in the church but still allowed);
perserverent and consistent
one
man chopped off body parts because his wife was annoying
another
man cut off his penis because he was the one failing in the
relationship
a
woman jumped off a bridge becaue she gossipped(planned it in one
day); although in India it is an honor to kill herself if she's the
most loved wife (juxtaposition of stories)
God
forsees, but is seeing at present bc of his existence outside of
time- "we see things because they happen, they do not happen
because we see them"
causes
(fortuitious [like chance] and voluntary [we choose]) from free will
given by God
we
don't have the power to change fate
two
assassins, one is caught and the other isn't. The one caught is
"ready"- "fate"
II:30
On a monster child
"monsters"
believed to be portents of God's will
portent=
sign/warning that something will happen
joined
twin boys- one perfect, the other missing head into smomach of other
(looks like a 'k' bc one is perpindicular and dangling) ; a whole
body
metaphor-
all limbs work under one head^, king keeps order of state under his
laws
interpreting
things into prophesies
"monsters"
show the infinite possibilities of God's creation
people
see things as the usual and dont wonder where they come from, but
when something is abnormal they see is as a portent
whatever
is against the norm is said to be against nature, but nothing really
can be
II:31
On anger
he
doesnt like the way parent beat and yell at their children; he
realises that children are the future of the state
"No
passion disturbs the soundness of our judgement as anger does"-
Reflection on how i can be a completely different person
punishments
out of anger are unfair
"saying
is one thing;doing is another"- he hsows how men have not
practiced what they preach (some litterally)
anger
isnt always visible (as seen in Plutarch)
if
i wasnt so angry i'd ... (threat still use today)
so
many times we get all worked up for a dumb reason then find a way to
defend/excuse it but in reality we're so wrong
says
that women get angry only to make men mad
this
man masks himself of imperfections and is "eating his insides
out"- relatable; by hiding what we feel, it stays and builds
inside
choler=
one of four bodily humors (anger)
rodomontades=
boastful in talk/behavior
his
anger spells are short and sweet
once
a person is mad, there's no stopping it so you might as wee be
polite and accept it
II:32
In defense of Seneca and Plutarch
Seneca-philosopher,
several people have differing viewpoints about him (Dion the
historian wrong) Executive decision on him by Michel from reading
his work
Plutarch-
biographer/writer
stories-
pride and honor (?) reason why people would let bad things happen to
themselves (like turture, which always sucks)
^endurance,
obsinate resistance, stubborness common
dont
judge what's possible/impossible by what seems cridible/incredible
in your own mind
defends
Plutarch's comparrisons of Romans and Greeks- obviosly one has to be
the victor, but he's (Bodin) making a general criticism that the
Greeks are being favored. What Bodin doesnt understand is that it's
carefully planned; he's choosing an irrevelent factor- relates to
how many people dont see the big picture
II:33
the tale of Spurina
2
apetites- of the mind/soul (ambiton, covetousness...) and of the
body (lust)
pretty
much talking up Julius Caesar: ladies' man- many lovers (including
Cleopatra); very ambitios- orator, writer; kind to those who werent
on his side-rare; even to men who spoke bad about him-gracious
but,
ambition got the best of him and let himself be worshiped, his owrds
into laws, overthrew the State
rare
to "damn" your own beauty for making others "arouse";
Spurina- made so beautifully, slashed his own face to no longer
loathe himself. Michel's viewon ^- good intentions but actions lack
wisdom= duhhhh
moderation-
good virtue, balance in life
II:34
Observation on Julius Caesar's methods of waging war
Caesar
(C.)- MM's opinion is that his style is uncomparable
C.
told his troops that the enemy was much greater than they believed.
Better to find the enemy weaker than sronger than expected
C.
told his men just to do as they're told
C.
seized oppotunities at the right moments and acted w/speed
he
let his men have some reward; good looking armor built confidence;
they were companions in Rome- aiders and abettors were = in crime
eloquent,
his own speaking style , speeches wriiten
"preffered
his victories to be won by thought than by might"
risked
his life for others, yada yada yada
"boldness,
insane confidence"
as
time passed, he was slow and deliberate
"emotion
dominates us more vigorously than reason" Reflection- impulsive
actions
his
soldiers granted life to captured, but when they were captured
they'd rather kill themselves than fight against
II:35
On three good wives
fathers
dont show love to their sons in order to be honored and respected-
is that how it still is today?
women
do the same to their husbamds, Michel doesnt like it- it's better to
laugh w/her husband alive than dead
(low
class woman) tied herself to her husband and jumped into ocean so
his pain (which caused her pain) could end together
rich
woman (rare virtue bc rich) w/a husband taken away to be sentenced
to death couldnt go w/him so she was determined to kill herself, but
family wouldnt let her. When she saw him again he was to kill
himself-she stabbed herself first ("see it doesnt hurt")
then he did (shameful bc he had his wife die first and he learned a
lesson)
Seneca
sentenced to death by Nero, he was welcoming death w/a little
joy-he's leaving everyone w/his actions and memories; Paulina
(wife,young) wants to die w/him. Theyre dying when Nero has Paulina
saved for his reputation- she's lost a certain life
they'd
die because their loved ones will die
why
are these fictious tales of women sacrificing? Why arnt the men
killing themselves for the women?
II:36
On the most excellent of men
3
men he puts above all others
Homer-
created lasting gods;Virgil's teacher; no other poets can compare;
big names have Homer's works, an insult if they dont; created common
ground for several nations' origins
Alexander
the Great- done so much by 33, said he "owed his virtues to
Nature, his vices to Fortune", admits that he was lucky, so
accomplished
makes
a case that Caesar v. Alexander made him do a double take
Epaminondad-
Michel likes the best; wisdom and reason; umanimously votes first
man among the Greeks (huge deal, like best on earth); knoew much and
spoke sparingly; morals (right/wrong) greater than everyone's;
humane
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
-
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
-
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 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.
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.
|
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.
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
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
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 built
-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
(Collaborated with Judtih Lee, Taylor Williams, Shailynn Joseph, Megan Stevens, Sierra Sanchez, Hannah Hurd, Haley Kestler, Elizabeth Smith, Victoria Tonascia, and Haley Stowe)
