Chapter 98
Love, Lust, and Life's Pleasures
UPON SOME VERSES OF VIRGIL CHAPTER V. By how much profitable thoughts are more full and solid, by so much are they also more cumbersome and heavy: vice, death, poverty, diseases, are grave and grievous subjects. A man should have his soul instructed in the means to sustain and to contend with evils, and in the rules of living and believing well: and often rouse it up, and exercise it in this noble study; but in an ordinary soul it must be by intervals and with moderation; it will otherwise grow besotted if continually intent upon it. I found it…
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Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"profitable thoughts are more full and solid, by so much are they also more cumbersome and heavy"
Context: Opening contrast
Thesis.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne says profitable thoughts are more full and solid, and by so much more cumbersome and heavy, while vice and death are grave subjects. Weight has cost. Do not assume the most nourishing reflection is the one you can carry every hour without dulling the mind that must live.
"From the excess of sprightliness I am fallen into that of severity, which is much more troublesome; and for that reason I now and then suffer myself purposely a little to run into disorder, and occupy my mind in wanton and youthful thoughts, wherewith it diverts itself."
Context: Aging swing
Central turn.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne says from the excess of sprightliness he has fallen into that of severity, which is much more troublesome now in age. Pendulum moves. Recognize when your former excess now disguises itself as virtue and makes every ordinary pleasure suspect in yourself and in others.
"It happens, as with cages, the birds without despair to get in, and those within despair of getting out"
Context: Marriage paradox
Second half.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne says it happens as with cages: birds outside despair to get in, and those within despair of getting out, though marriage is our best society. Double bind. When a bond is necessary and ridiculed at once, expect people to romanticize it from outside and resent it from within.
"become insensible and invisible to satisfy us."
Context: Close
Chastity absurdity.
In Today's Words:
Montaigne ends that women must become insensible and invisible to satisfy our chastity rules, citing impossible models like Fatua and Hiero's wife. Fantasy demands. When a moral rule requires people to erase their bodies and perceptions, the rule says more about our fear than about their virtue.
Thematic Threads
Authenticity
In This Chapter
Montaigne refuses to sanitize his discussion of desire and contradictions, modeling radical honesty about human nature
Development
Building on earlier themes of self-examination, now applied to society's most uncomfortable topics
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you catch yourself giving socially acceptable reasons for decisions driven by deeper, messier motivations
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
He challenges society's rules around sexuality that conflict with human reality, showing how conventions can create unnecessary suffering
Development
Continues his pattern of questioning social norms through personal experience rather than abstract reasoning
In Your Life:
You see this when you feel pressure to hide natural feelings or needs because they don't fit what's considered 'appropriate'
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Explores how age changes desire and how marriage differs from passion, acknowledging relationship complexity without judgment
Development
Deepens earlier relationship themes by examining physical and emotional needs honestly
In Your Life:
This appears when you notice the gap between how relationships 'should' work and how they actually function in real life
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Shows that wisdom comes from examining difficult topics honestly rather than hiding behind social conventions
Development
Reinforces that growth requires courage to face uncomfortable truths about ourselves
In Your Life:
You experience this when you realize that avoiding difficult self-examination keeps you stuck in patterns that no longer serve you
Identity
In This Chapter
Demonstrates how our physical nature is part of our complete identity, not something to be denied or transcended
Development
Expands identity theme to include aspects of self that society often wants us to compartmentalize or hide
In Your Life:
This shows up when you feel like you have to be different versions of yourself in different contexts rather than integrating your full humanity
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 we're fools for thinking someone who lived fully 'did nothing today'?
analysis • surfaceOne way to read it
He argues that simply living and experiencing life is itself valuable work, not idleness. We wrongly measure worth only by visible productivity.
- 2
Why does Montaigne use his marriage cage metaphor to explore the gap between desire and social institutions?
analysis • mediumOne way to read it
The paradox reveals how formal structures often conflict with human nature. Those outside want what they can't have; those inside feel trapped by what they sought.
- 3
Where do you see Montaigne's idea that denying physical nature creates more problems than accepting it in today's world?
application • mediumOne way to read it
Social media creates unrealistic body standards, or workplace cultures that ignore human needs for rest and connection often lead to burnout and dysfunction.
- 4
How would you apply Montaigne's method of honest self-examination to a relationship conflict you're avoiding?
application • deepOne way to read it
Instead of hiding behind social expectations, examine your actual feelings and contradictions. Name what you really want versus what you think you should want.
- 5
What does Montaigne's willingness to discuss uncomfortable topics reveal about the relationship between courage and wisdom?
reflection • deepOne way to read it
True wisdom requires facing difficult truths about ourselves rather than maintaining comfortable illusions. Intellectual honesty demands emotional bravery.
Critical Thinking Exercise
The Honest Inventory
Think of a recent time when you reacted strongly to something - anger, jealousy, disappointment, or excitement. Write down what you told yourself (or others) was the reason for your reaction. Then dig deeper: what might have been the real, less socially acceptable reason? Practice Montaigne's method of honest examination without judgment.
Consider:
- •Focus on understanding your reaction, not justifying or condemning it
- •Look for the gap between your public explanation and your private truth
- •Consider how acknowledging the real reason might change how you handle similar situations
Journaling Prompt
Write about a pattern you've noticed in your own reactions. What do you typically tell yourself versus what might actually be driving your responses? How could honest acknowledgment help you navigate this pattern more consciously?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 99: Aging, Pleasure, and the Art of Living Authentically
Montaigne now confesses where marital duty really knots. The will, not the statute, will decide what husbands endure, what lovers owe, and why the pot and kettle proverb closes the argument.
