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Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to spot when someone (including yourself) is excelling at the wrong things to avoid doing their actual job well.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when people get praised for skills that don't match their main responsibility—and check if you're doing the same thing.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Was it not very well becoming two consuls of Rome, sovereign magistrates of the republic that commanded the world, to spend their leisure in contriving quaint and elegant missives, thence to gain the reputation of being versed in their own mother-tongues?"
Context: Mocking Cicero and Pliny for focusing on letter-writing instead of leadership
This sarcastic question cuts to the heart of Montaigne's criticism - that powerful people were wasting time on trivial skills while neglecting their real responsibilities. The irony is thick: these men ruled an empire but wanted praise for basic writing ability.
In Today's Words:
Really? The most powerful people in the world spent their free time crafting perfect emails to look smart?
"What could a pitiful schoolmaster have done worse, whose trade it was thereby to get his living?"
Context: Comparing the Roman leaders unfavorably to a lowly teacher
Montaigne delivers a brutal insult by suggesting these mighty consuls acted like desperate teachers trying to impress students. The comparison shows how far beneath their dignity this behavior was.
In Today's Words:
They were acting like some broke substitute teacher trying to show off.
"Are you not ashamed, being a king, to sing so well?"
Context: Philip questioning his son's musical talents at a feast
This quote captures the central theme - that excellence in the wrong areas can actually be shameful for leaders. Philip understood that a king's reputation should rest on kingly virtues, not entertainment skills.
In Today's Words:
Shouldn't you be embarrassed that you're better at this than at being a leader?
Thematic Threads
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Montaigne exposes how society rewards the wrong performances—praising leaders for literary skill rather than governance
Development
Building on earlier themes about authentic self-presentation versus social performance
In Your Life:
You might find yourself seeking praise for being the 'fun' coworker while avoiding the hard conversations your role actually requires
Identity
In This Chapter
The gap between who you're supposed to be in your role and who you perform being for applause
Development
Deepening exploration of authentic versus performed identity from previous chapters
In Your Life:
You might excel at organizing family events while struggling with the daily emotional labor of actually connecting with family members
Class
In This Chapter
Montaigne criticizes high-ranking Romans for behaviors beneath their station—a class-based judgment about appropriate skills
Development
Continues examination of social hierarchy and appropriate behavior by class/role
In Your Life:
You might feel pressure to develop 'impressive' skills that don't actually help you succeed in your current position or life situation
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Montaigne's honest admission about his own poor letter-writing skills shows growth through self-awareness
Development
Reinforces the value of honest self-assessment over polished performance
In Your Life:
You might need to honestly assess whether your areas of pride are actually your areas of responsibility
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Montaigne criticize Roman leaders like Cicero and Pliny for writing beautiful letters and seeking praise from historians?
analysis • surface - 2
What does the story of Alexander the Great's father scolding him for singing too well reveal about the relationship between talent and appropriate focus?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about your workplace or community - can you identify someone who gets praised for skills that aren't their main job? How does this affect their actual responsibilities?
application • medium - 4
When have you found yourself seeking recognition for something impressive but secondary to your real responsibilities? What drew you toward that easier praise?
reflection • deep - 5
How can you tell the difference between being well-rounded versus chasing the wrong kind of excellence? What questions should you ask yourself?
application • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Audit Your Excellence
List your main role or responsibility in life (parent, employee, student, etc.). Below that, write down what you've been complimented on or recognized for in the past month. Now honestly assess: are you getting praised for your core job, or for impressive side skills? Circle any praise that might be distracting you from what actually matters most.
Consider:
- •Be honest about whether compliments reflect your priorities or just what's easiest to notice
- •Consider what the people who depend on you most would say you should focus on
- •Think about whether you're avoiding harder, less visible work by excelling at flashier tasks
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you realized you were chasing recognition in the wrong area. What made you recognize the pattern, and how did you redirect your energy toward what actually mattered?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 40: The Power of Perspective Over Pain
Next, Montaigne turns to a fundamental question about human nature: do things have inherent value, or does our opinion create their worth? He'll explore how our minds shape our reality in ways we rarely recognize.
