Chapter 39
When Leaders Chase the Wrong Glory
A CONSIDERATION UPON CICERO One word more by way of comparison betwixt these two. There are to be gathered out of the writings of Cicero and the younger Pliny (but little, in my opinion, resembling his uncle in his humours) infinite testimonies of a beyond measure ambitious nature; and amongst others, this for one, that they both, in the sight of all the world, solicit the historians of their time not to forget them in their memoirs; and fortune, as if in spite, has made the vanity of those requests live upon record down to this age of ours, while…
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Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"solicit the historians of their time not to forget them in their memoirs; and fortune, as if in spite, has made the vanity of those requests live upon record down to this age of ours, while she has long since consigned the histories themselves to oblivion."
Context: Cicero and Pliny's vanity
Begging for memory.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne says Cicero and Pliny solicited historians of their time not to forget them in memoirs, and fortune preserved that vanity while the histories vanished. The plea for remembrance outlasted the work meant to justify it. Desperate reputation-building often ages worse than the achievement it tried to secure.
"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 letter-craft
Wrong work for rank.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne asks whether it was becoming for two consuls of Rome to spend leisure contriving quaint missives to seem versed in their mother tongues. That is schoolmaster work, not rule of the world. If your highest office leaves time mainly for performance, question what the office has become.
"Art thou not ashamed,” said he to him, “to sing so well"
Context: Rebuking Alexander
Wrong excellence for a king.
In Today's Words:
Philip asked Alexander if he was not ashamed, being a king, to sing so well at a feast before his guests. The talent was real, but misaligned with command and statecraft. Excellence in the wrong arena can expose what you have not mastered in the right one.
"I had rather a great deal he would say nothing: ‘tis not so much to elevate the style as to depress the sense, and so much the more offensively as they do it obliquely; and yet I am much deceived if many other writers deliver more worth noting as to the matter, and, how well or ill soever, if any other writer has sown things much more materials or at all events more downright, upon his paper than myself."
Context: Preferring substance to style praise
Style praise depresses sense.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne says he would rather a reader say nothing about his essay style than praise eloquence while missing the matter. Compliments on surface craft can distract from whether anything true was said. When someone praises how you said it, check whether they heard what you meant.
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
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 criticize Cicero and Pliny for writing elegant letters and seeking fame from historians?
analysis • surfaceOne way to read it
He argues they were chasing recognition for skills beneath their station as Roman leaders. Their job was governing an empire, not crafting beautiful prose like schoolmasters.
- 2
Why does Philip's rebuke to Alexander about singing work as an example of Montaigne's point about misplaced excellence?
analysis • mediumOne way to read it
It shows how excelling at the wrong skill reveals confused priorities. A king who sings beautifully suggests he's spent time on entertainment rather than statecraft.
- 3
Where do you see modern leaders being praised for talents that don't match their actual responsibilities?
application • mediumOne way to read it
CEOs celebrated for their golf games or social media presence, politicians praised for their fashion sense, or professors known more for their TV appearances than research.
- 4
How would you apply Montaigne's principle when evaluating someone for a leadership position?
application • deepOne way to read it
Focus on skills that directly relate to the role's core demands. A candidate's charm or artistic talents might be impressive but irrelevant compared to decision-making and judgment.
- 5
What does Montaigne's own confession about his blunt letter-writing style reveal about authenticity versus social performance?
reflection • deepOne way to read it
He suggests genuine substance matters more than polished presentation. His rushed, honest letters reflect his true thoughts rather than empty ceremonial language that impresses but says nothing.
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
After vanity in eloquence, Montaigne tests a harder claim. Death, poverty, and pain will look different depending on opinion, and condemned men will joke on the scaffold while others suffer at a needle.
