Chapter 89
The Story of Spurina
THE STORY OF SPURINA Philosophy thinks she has not ill employed her talent when she has given the sovereignty of the soul and the authority of restraining our appetites to reason. Amongst which, they who judge that there is none more violent than those which spring from love, have this opinion also, that they seize both body and soul, and possess the whole man, so that even health itself depends upon them, and medicine is sometimes constrained to pimp for them; but one might, on the contrary, also say, that the mixture of the body brings an abatement and weakening;…
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Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"sovereignty of the soul and the authority of restraining our appetites"
Context: Reason's office
Opening frame.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne says philosophy has not ill employed her talent in giving the sovereignty of the soul and authority of restraining appetites to reason. Reason must rule. The question is not whether appetite exists, but whether your governing voice still has authority when it speaks Notice what repeats before you respond..
"ambition, with which he was infinitely smitten, arising in him to contend with the former, it was boon compelled to give way"
Context: Love vs ambition
Caesar's pivot.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne says Caesar's passion of ambition, with which he was infinitely smitten, compelled love to give way when they contended. Stronger appetite wins. Name which desire actually governs your calendar, not which one you prefer to confess in conversation Notice what repeats before you respond..
"purposely slashed and disfigured, with many wounds and scars, the perfect symmetry and proportion that nature had so curiously imprinted"
Context: Self-mutilation
Second half.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne says Spurina purposely slashed and disfigured with many wounds the perfect symmetry nature had curiously imprinted in his face. Extreme remedy. If your answer to being desired is to destroy the gift, ask whether virtue could have used the same beauty with disciplined regularity instead.
"moderation is a virtue that gives more work than suffering; the well living of Scipio has a thousand fashions, that of Diogenes but one; this as much excels the ordinary lives in innocence as the most accomplished excel them in utility and force."
Context: Close
Harder virtue.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne says use carried on according to reason has more difficulty than abstinence, and moderation is a virtue that gives more work than suffering. Staying in the game costs more. Prefer the thousand disciplined ways of Scipio over the single theatrical escape if you want virtue that can live among people.
Thematic Threads
Self-Control
In This Chapter
Montaigne contrasts Caesar's inability to control his ambition with Spurina's extreme self-mutilation to avoid tempting others
Development
Building on earlier discussions of moderation, now examining the spectrum from no control to excessive control
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you swing between letting desires run wild and trying to eliminate them completely, rather than finding middle ground.
Social Responsibility
In This Chapter
Spurina disfigures himself believing his beauty causes moral harm to others who desire him
Development
Introduced here as a new dimension of how our gifts affect others
In Your Life:
You face this when your talents or advantages make others uncomfortable, and you must decide whether to hide them or use them responsibly.
Extremes vs Moderation
In This Chapter
Montaigne critiques both Caesar's unchecked ambition and Spurina's self-destruction, advocating for balanced management of our gifts
Development
Continuing the theme of finding middle paths rather than dramatic solutions
In Your Life:
You encounter this in any situation where the 'all or nothing' approach feels easier than the hard work of finding balance.
Power Dynamics
In This Chapter
Caesar's political appetite ultimately destroys the Roman Republic, showing how personal desires can have massive social consequences
Development
Expanding from personal power struggles to examine how individual appetites affect entire systems
In Your Life:
You see this when someone's unchecked need for control or recognition starts affecting your whole workplace, family, or community.
Identity
In This Chapter
Both Caesar and Spurina define themselves through their dominant characteristics—ambition and beauty respectively—leading to distorted choices
Development
Building on earlier explorations of how we construct our sense of self
In Your Life:
You experience this when you become so identified with one trait or role that you make decisions based on protecting that identity rather than what's actually best.
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 distinction does Montaigne draw between physical desires and ambitions like Caesar's hunger for power?
analysis • surfaceOne way to read it
Physical desires can be satisfied and fade, while ambitions grow stronger when fed. Caesar's lust could be managed, but his political hunger consumed everything.
- 2
Why does Caesar's ability to balance love and ambition make him such a compelling example for Montaigne's argument?
analysis • mediumOne way to read it
Caesar shows how one appetite can dominate another without destroying it entirely. His ambition controlled his timing but never eliminated his desires.
- 3
Where do you see people today choosing extreme solutions like Spurina's self-disfigurement instead of learning moderation?
application • mediumOne way to read it
Social media detoxes, extreme diets, or cutting off relationships entirely. Like Spurina, people often choose dramatic gestures over learning balance.
- 4
How would you apply Montaigne's preference for moderation over extremes to managing a specific temptation in your life?
application • deepOne way to read it
Rather than eliminating social media completely, set specific times for checking it. Montaigne suggests working within constraints teaches more virtue than avoidance.
- 5
What does Spurina's story reveal about the unintended consequences of trying to solve moral problems through dramatic action?
reflection • deepOne way to read it
Good intentions can create new problems. Spurina's ugliness might inspire hatred or contempt, showing how extreme virtue can become its own form of vice.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Competing Appetites
List three things you want right now in different areas of your life. For each one, ask: If I got more of this, would I be satisfied, or would I want even more? Then identify which desire is currently getting most of your time and mental energy. Notice if the hungriest appetite is the one making your important decisions.
Consider:
- •Physical needs (sleep, food, comfort) usually have natural stopping points
- •Status needs (recognition, power, being right) tend to grow when fed
- •The desire you think about most during quiet moments is probably your dominant appetite
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when one desire grew so strong it started affecting other areas of your life. What would you do differently now that you understand how appetites compete?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 90: Caesar's Art of War and Leadership
After Spurina's violent chastity, Montaigne studies Caesar as soldier. He will inflate enemy numbers to steady his men, hide his plans until execution, and end with Salona's sortie routing Octavius to the ships.
