Chapter 46
The Power and Peril of Names
OF NAMES What variety of herbs soever are shufed together in the dish, yet the whole mass is swallowed up under one name of a sallet. In like manner, under the consideration of names, I will make a hodge-podge of divers articles. Every nation has certain names, that, I know not why, are taken in no good sense, as with us, John, William, Benedict. In the genealogy of princes, also, there seem to be certain names fatally affected, as the Ptolemies of Egypt, the Henries in England, the Charleses in France, the Baldwins in Flanders, and the Williams of our…
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Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Every nation has certain names, that, I know not why, are taken in no good sense, as with us, John, William, Benedict."
Context: Unlucky names
Arbitrary stigma.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne says every nation has certain names taken in no good sense, as with John, William, and Benedict among us. The slur attaches to sound, not deed. Notice when you judge someone before they speak because their name already sounds low or high to you.
"in the first troop, which consisted of Williams, there were found an hundred and ten knights sitting at the table of that name, without reckoning the ordinary gentlemen and servants."
Context: Normandy feast
Famous names abound.
In Today's Words:
At Henry of Normandy's feast, the first troop named Williams held a hundred and ten knights at table, not counting ordinary gentlemen and servants. Supposedly grand names are everywhere once you look. When a label feels rare and special, count how many people in the room already share it.
"satisfy ourselves with what our fathers were contented with, with what we are."
Context: Mocking false princes
Satire deflates pretence.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne's friend tells the diners to satisfy themselves with what their fathers were contented with and lay aside ridiculous pretences no impudent man ever lacks. He refuses to dine among invented royalty. When everyone claims exceptional lineage, one honest joke can expose the whole room at once.
"tanto major famae sitis est, quam Virtutis."
Context: Fame vs virtue
Thirst misordered.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne closes with Juvenal that Roman, Greek, and barbarian commanders incur danger and toil for glory, so much greater is the thirst for fame than for virtue. Reputation outruns character. Ask whether you are chasing a name that will outlive your actual conduct, or only your appetite for applause.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Montaigne mocks social climbers fabricating noble genealogies and fighting over meaningless titles
Development
Continues from earlier chapters about social pretensions and artificial hierarchies
In Your Life:
You might see this when coworkers obsess over job titles or neighbors compete over house appearances
Identity
In This Chapter
Names and titles become confused with actual identity, as if changing labels changes the person
Development
Builds on ongoing exploration of authentic self versus social persona
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself believing your job title or social media profile defines who you really are
Recognition
In This Chapter
The desperate pursuit of lasting fame through names that can be easily changed or forgotten
Development
Introduced here as a new dimension of human vanity
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you crave credit for achievements or worry about being remembered
Deception
In This Chapter
People fabricate family histories and steal prestigious names to appear more important
Development
Continues theme of self-deception and social performance from earlier essays
In Your Life:
You might notice this when you embellish your background or qualifications to impress others
Substance
In This Chapter
Montaigne contrasts empty titles with actual character and achievement
Development
Reinforces ongoing emphasis on authentic living over social performance
In Your Life:
You might ask yourself whether you're building real skills or just collecting impressive-sounding credentials
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
What does Montaigne mean when he says certain names are 'taken in no good sense' and why do kings favor easy-to-pronounce names?
analysis • surfaceOne way to read it
Some names carry unfortunate associations while others open doors. Kings remember and employ people whose names roll off the tongue easily, giving practical advantage to those with simple, memorable names.
- 2
Why does the dinner party story about fake royal ancestry work so well to expose social climbing?
analysis • mediumOne way to read it
When everyone claims noble blood, the friend's sarcastic withdrawal reveals the absurdity. His mock reverence for 'so many princes' exposes how common these fabricated genealogies really are.
- 3
Where do you see modern equivalents of people taking titles from land or fabricating impressive backgrounds?
application • mediumOne way to read it
LinkedIn profiles inflated with fancy job titles, influencers adopting luxury brand names, or people claiming connections to prestigious schools or companies they barely attended or worked for.
- 4
How would you handle a situation where someone is clearly exaggerating their credentials or background?
application • deepOne way to read it
Follow Montaigne's friend's example: gentle humor can expose pretension without direct confrontation. Focus on substance over titles, and let actions speak louder than claimed pedigree.
- 5
What does our obsession with impressive names and titles reveal about how we judge worth?
reflection • deepOne way to read it
We often mistake symbols for substance, valuing appearance over reality. Montaigne suggests this reveals our deep insecurity about our actual worth and our desire for immortality through mere words.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Track Your Status Signals
Make two lists: one of the titles, labels, or credentials you mention about yourself, and another of the actual skills or qualities that make you valuable to others. Look at how much energy you spend maintaining the first list versus developing the second. Notice any gaps between what you project and what you actually deliver.
Consider:
- •Consider whether you're using titles to compensate for areas where you feel insecure
- •Think about whether others judge you by your labels or by how you actually treat them
- •Notice if you're more impressed by someone's credentials than their actual helpfulness or character
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you were impressed by someone's title or status, only to discover their actual character didn't match. How did that change how you evaluate people now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 47: The Uncertainty of Our Judgment
After names and borrowed glory, Montaigne tests whether we can judge anything. Moncontour and St Quentin will show how the same battle earns opposite verdicts from confident critics.
