Chapter 07
Your True Intentions Matter Most
THAT THE INTENTION IS JUDGE OF OUR ACTIONS ‘Tis a saying, “That death discharges us of all our obligations.” I know some who have taken it in another sense. Henry VII., King of England, articled with Don Philip, son to Maximilian the emperor, or (to place him more honourably) father to the Emperor Charles V., that the said Philip should deliver up the Duke of Suffolk of the White Rose, his enemy, who was fled into the Low Countries, into his hands; which Philip accordingly did, but upon condition, nevertheless, that Henry should attempt nothing against the life of the…
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Key Quotes & Analysis
"That death discharges us of all our obligations."
Context: Opening proverb Montaigne will test
The saying invites loopholes Montaigne rejects.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne cites the proverb that death cancels every obligation, then shows how people abuse it. Waiting until you are dying to make amends is not the same as keeping your word when it cost you something. Judge people by what they did while they could still be held to account.
"We cannot be bound beyond what we are able to perform, by reason that effect and performance are not at all in our power, and that, indeed, we are masters of nothing but the will, in which, by necessity, all the rules and whole duty of mankind are founded and established: therefore Count Egmont, conceiving his soul and will indebted to his promise, although he had not the power to make it good, had doubtless been absolved of his duty, even though he had outlived the other; but the King of England wilfully and premeditately breaking his faith, was no more to be excused for deferring the execution of his infidelity till after his death than the mason in Herodotus, who having inviolably, during the time of his life, kept the secret of the treasure of the King of Egypt, his master, at his death discovered it to his children."
Context: Limits of human obligation
Performance may fail; will is still accountable.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne says we cannot be bound beyond what we can actually perform, because outcomes are not fully in our hands. That limits blame for accidents but not for intent. You may fail to deliver, yet you still own what you meant and what you refused to try while you had the chance.
"we are masters of nothing but the will, in which, by necessity, all the rules and whole duty of mankind are founded and established: therefore Count Egmont, conceiving his soul and will indebted to his promise, although he had not the power to make it good, had doubtless been absolved of his duty, even though he had outlived the other; but the King of England wilfully and premeditately breaking his faith, was no more to be excused for deferring the execution of his infidelity till after his death than the mason in Herodotus, who having inviolably, during the time of his life, kept the secret of the treasure of the King of Egypt, his master, at his death discovered it to his children."
Context: Moral center of the essay
Intention is the seat of duty.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne says we control only our will, and there all human duty and moral rules are founded. Results can slip away; choices remain yours. When you explain an action, start with what you meant and what you refused, not with the excuse that arrived afterward.
"my death discover nothing that my life has not first and openly declared."
Context: Closing personal resolution
Montaigne refuses deathbed moral surprises.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne resolves that his death should reveal nothing his life has not already declared openly. That is a standard for integrity: no hidden score-settling in a will, no secret shame unloaded at the end. Live so the people who matter already know where you stand.
Thematic Threads
Integrity
In This Chapter
Montaigne argues that real integrity means your private intentions match your public actions while alive to be accountable
Development
Introduced here - establishes integrity as internal consistency rather than external performance
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you catch yourself looking for ways to technically keep promises while avoiding their real purpose.
Self-Deception
In This Chapter
People convince themselves that gaming moral systems makes them clever rather than dishonest
Development
Introduced here - shows how we lie to ourselves about our true motivations
In Your Life:
You might see this when you find elaborate justifications for doing what you wanted to do anyway.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Characters try to appear honorable while pursuing selfish goals through deathbed confessions and technical compliance
Development
Introduced here - reveals how people manipulate social approval systems
In Your Life:
You might notice this when you're more concerned with looking good than being good.
Personal Responsibility
In This Chapter
Montaigne emphasizes we can only control our will and choices, not always outcomes
Development
Introduced here - establishes focus on internal accountability over external results
In Your Life:
You might apply this when you're tempted to blame circumstances for choices you made freely.
Authentic Living
In This Chapter
Montaigne declares he'll live so openly that his death reveals nothing his life hasn't already shown
Development
Introduced here - presents transparency as the antidote to moral gaming
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you realize you're hiding parts of yourself that don't align with your values.
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 King Henry VII's deathbed order to execute the Duke of Suffolk?
analysis • surfaceOne way to read it
Henry broke his promise by using death as a technicality. Montaigne argues that deferring betrayal until after death doesn't make it honorable - the king's intention was always to break his word.
- 2
How does Count Egmont's request to die first reveal the difference between intention and outcome?
analysis • mediumOne way to read it
Egmont couldn't control whether he could save his friend, but his intention to honor his promise mattered more than the actual result. We're only masters of our will, not circumstances.
- 3
Where do you see people today using timing or technicalities to avoid moral responsibility?
application • mediumOne way to read it
Politicians who change positions after elections, or people who apologize only when caught. Like Montaigne's deathbed confessors, they're gaming the system rather than acting with genuine integrity.
- 4
How would you apply Montaigne's principle that 'intention is judge of our actions' to a workplace conflict?
application • deepOne way to read it
Address the conflict directly rather than waiting for the other person to leave or be transferred. Focus on your genuine intention to resolve things, not on finding the perfect moment or excuse.
- 5
What does Montaigne's promise to live so openly that death reveals nothing new suggest about authentic character?
reflection • deepOne way to read it
True integrity means our private intentions align with our public actions. When we hide behind timing or technicalities, we're deceiving ourselves more than others about who we really are.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Spot the Loophole Pattern
Think of three recent situations where someone technically did what they promised but left you feeling frustrated or betrayed. For each situation, identify what they did right on paper versus what they avoided in spirit. Then flip it: identify one area where you might be doing the same thing to others.
Consider:
- •Focus on the gap between technical compliance and genuine intention
- •Look for patterns in timing - are they waiting until the last possible moment?
- •Notice if they're more concerned with being able to say they kept their word than with actual outcomes
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you found yourself looking for a loophole in a commitment you made. What were you really trying to avoid, and how did it affect your relationship with that person?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 8: When Your Mind Runs Wild
From judging intentions Montaigne turns to idleness. He retires to his house expecting calm contemplation and finds his mind runs wilder without the structure of public duty, inventing chimeras until writing becomes his discipline.
