Chapter 105
The Art of Admitting Ignorance
OF CRIPPLES ‘Tis now two or three years ago that they made the year ten days shorter in France.--[By the adoption of the Gregorian calendar.]--How many changes may we expect should follow this reformation! it was really moving heaven and earth at once. Yet nothing for all that stirs from its place my neighbours still find their seasons of sowing and reaping, the opportunities of doing their business, the hurtful and propitious days, dust at the same time where they had, time out of mind, assigned them; there was no more error perceived in our old use, than there is…
Public-domain chapter text, formatted for reading.
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"so gross, obscure, and obtuse is our perception."
Context: Calendar reform
Opening turn.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne says so great an uncertainty is throughout, and so gross, obscure, and obtuse is our perception, despite calendar reform moving heaven and earth on paper. Official unreality. When institutions announce sweeping change, watch whether daily practice moves at all before you argue about the new truth you are told you live under.
"greater monster or miracle in the world than myself: one grows familiar with all strange things by time and custom, but the more I frequent and the better I know myself, the more does my own deformity astonish me, the less I understand myself."
Context: Self-mystery
Middle turn.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne says he has never seen a greater monster or miracle in the world than himself, and grows more astonished the better he knows himself. Inner strangeness. Before calling others unbelievable, account for how often your own motives still surprise you when you stop flattering yourself.
"Whoever will be cured of ignorance must confess it."
Context: Intellectual humility
Central ethic.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne says whoever will be cured of ignorance must confess it, after urging forms like peradventure and it seems to me instead of false infallibility. Cure starts open. Name what you do not know in front of others early, because the habit of pretended certainty is harder to break than the ignorance itself.
"I should rather have prescribed them hellebore than hemlock; “Captisque res magis mentibus, quam consceleratis similis visa;” [“The thing was rather to be attributed to madness, than malice."
Context: Witch prisoners examined
Second half.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne says that after examining accused witches at length, he should rather have prescribed hellebore than hemlock, treating frenzy as illness. Mercy over spectacle. When frightened communities demand harsh punishment, ask whether medicine, rest, or honest doubt might fit the case better than righteous cruelty.
Thematic Threads
Intellectual Honesty
In This Chapter
Montaigne advocates for saying 'perhaps' and 'it seems to me' instead of making absolute claims
Development
Introduced here as core philosophy
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself stating opinions as facts when you're really just guessing or repeating what you heard.
Self-Knowledge
In This Chapter
Despite knowing himself better than anyone, Montaigne admits he remains a mystery to himself
Development
Deepens previous explorations of identity with radical honesty
In Your Life:
You might realize that even your own motivations and reactions sometimes surprise you.
Social Pressure
In This Chapter
People spread false beliefs and rumors because admitting ignorance feels socially risky
Development
Continues examination of how social expectations shape behavior
In Your Life:
You might feel pressure to have opinions on everything, even topics you know little about.
Wisdom
In This Chapter
True wisdom begins with admitting ignorance, not accumulating facts
Development
Redefines intelligence from knowledge collection to honest assessment
In Your Life:
You might discover that saying 'I don't know' actually makes people respect your judgment more.
Human Nature
In This Chapter
Humans naturally create explanations for everything rather than tolerate uncertainty
Development
Expands understanding of universal psychological patterns
In Your Life:
You might notice how quickly you fill in gaps with assumptions when you don't have complete information.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
This is not a test. Five prompts guide you through the chapter, from how it opens to how it closes, so you notice context and rhythm rather than facts to memorize. Sit with each question in your own words. When you see "One way to read it," treat it as a starting point, not the only answer.
- 1
Why does Montaigne say the calendar change in France didn't actually affect farmers' planting and harvesting schedules?
analysis • surfaceOne way to read it
Farmers continued following natural seasons rather than official dates, showing that practical knowledge often matters more than theoretical reforms or official proclamations.
- 2
How does Montaigne's story about the prince and the fake healer demonstrate his point about human reason creating explanations?
analysis • mediumOne way to read it
The prince's temporary relief came from imagination, not real healing. Montaigne shows how we build elaborate beliefs from coincidence, mistaking correlation for causation.
- 3
Where do you see Montaigne's observation about rumors growing as they spread playing out in today's world?
application • mediumOne way to read it
Social media amplifies this perfectly. Each person adds details to stories, so by the time news reaches us, it's often more dramatic and less accurate than the original event.
- 4
How would you apply Montaigne's advice about saying 'I don't know' in a professional meeting or academic discussion?
application • deepOne way to read it
Instead of bluffing through complex topics, acknowledge uncertainty while offering to research further. This builds credibility and prevents spreading misinformation disguised as expertise.
- 5
What does Montaigne's admission that he remains a mystery to himself reveal about the limits of human self-knowledge?
reflection • deepOne way to read it
Even with complete access to our own thoughts and motivations, we can't fully understand ourselves. This suggests humility should extend beyond external knowledge to our inner lives too.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Practice the Power of 'I Don't Know'
For the next week, pay attention to moments when you feel pressure to give a confident answer but aren't actually sure. Practice saying 'I don't know, but let me find out' or 'That's a good question—what do you think?' Notice how people respond to your honesty versus manufactured confidence. Track three specific instances where you chose intellectual humility over fake certainty.
Consider:
- •Notice the physical discomfort you feel when admitting uncertainty—this is normal
- •Watch how people actually respond to honesty versus how you fear they'll respond
- •Pay attention to how saying 'I don't know' opens up conversations rather than shutting them down
Journaling Prompt
Write about a belief or opinion you hold strongly. What evidence supports it? What questions remain unanswered? How might your certainty be protecting you from deeper learning or uncomfortable truths?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 106: Reading Faces and Finding Truth
After cripples and skeptical humility, Montaigne opens on physiognomy. Almost all our opinions are taken on authority and trust, and Socrates will appear in the plain speech of carters and cobblers.
