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Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to spot quiet competence that society often overlooks in favor of flashy achievement.
Practice This Today
This week, notice who actually keeps things running smoothly at your workplace—often it's not the person getting the most recognition or making the most noise.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I often wonder that he who has produced, and, by his authority, given reputation in the world to so many deities, was not deified himself."
Context: Reflecting on how Homer created gods that people worshipped, yet Homer himself remained mortal and poor
This captures the irony of true genius - those who create lasting value often don't get the immediate rewards. Montaigne sees this as evidence of Homer's authentic greatness versus mere celebrity.
In Today's Words:
It's crazy that the guy who basically invented our idea of gods never got treated like one himself.
"Fortune, in my opinion, did him this wrong, that having given him so many rare and excellent qualities, she mixed them with an ambitious desire of glory and conquest."
Context: Explaining why Alexander, despite his talents, falls short of perfect excellence
Montaigne argues that Alexander's greatest weakness was wanting too much fame and power. This corrupted his natural goodness and led to his moral failures.
In Today's Words:
Alexander had everything going for him, but his need to be famous and powerful messed him up.
"In him alone, of all that ever came to my knowledge, valor and fortune met and concurred to the highest pitch of perfection."
Context: Praising Epaminondas as the most complete human being he knows of
This is Montaigne's highest praise - someone who combined courage with wisdom, success with character. He sees Epaminondas as proof that you can be both effective and good.
In Today's Words:
This guy was the total package - brave, smart, successful, and genuinely good all at the same time.
Thematic Threads
Recognition
In This Chapter
Montaigne shows how true excellence often goes unrecognized while flashy achievement gets celebrated
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might be undervaluing your own steady contributions while envying others' dramatic successes.
Character
In This Chapter
Epaminondas represents the ideal of combining achievement with uncompromised moral character
Development
Builds on Montaigne's ongoing exploration of virtue versus worldly success
In Your Life:
You face daily choices between doing what's expedient and doing what's right.
Identity
In This Chapter
Each of the three men represents a different way of defining and expressing human excellence
Development
Continues Montaigne's theme of multiple valid ways to live
In Your Life:
You might be trying to be someone else's version of successful instead of defining greatness for yourself.
Class
In This Chapter
Homer achieved greatness despite poverty and disability, showing excellence transcends social position
Development
Reinforces that worth isn't determined by circumstances of birth
In Your Life:
Your background doesn't limit what kind of excellence you can achieve.
Legacy
In This Chapter
Different types of greatness create different kinds of lasting impact on the world
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might wonder what kind of mark you want to leave and how to build something that lasts.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Montaigne ranks Homer, Alexander the Great, and Epaminondas as history's three greatest men. What different type of greatness does each one represent?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Montaigne put Epaminondas—someone most people have never heard of—above Alexander the Great, who conquered the known world?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about your workplace, school, or community. Who gets the most recognition and praise? Are they necessarily the people doing the most important work?
application • medium - 4
If you had to choose between being famous for spectacular achievements that compromised your values or being unknown for quiet excellence with integrity, which would you pick and why?
application • deep - 5
What does Montaigne's ranking reveal about what he believes makes a life truly worth living?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Models of Excellence
Make three columns labeled 'Creative Genius,' 'Spectacular Achiever,' and 'Quiet Master.' Under each, list 2-3 people you know personally or admire from afar who fit that model. Then write one sentence about which path appeals to you most right now and why.
Consider:
- •Look beyond celebrities—include people from your own life like teachers, coworkers, or family members
- •Consider both the costs and benefits of each type of excellence
- •Think about which model would make you proudest of yourself in 20 years
Journaling Prompt
Write about someone you know who achieves excellence without seeking attention. What can you learn from how they approach their work and relationships?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 93: On Heredity and Medical Skepticism
From examining history's greatest figures, Montaigne turns to a more personal mystery: why children often seem nothing like their parents, and what this reveals about human nature and inheritance.
