3 Life Lessons From Michel de Montaigne
By: Jacob Wilkins
Tags: Philosophy, Self Improvement, Renaissance, France, History

3 Life Lessons From Michel de Montaigne

Portrait of Michel de Montaigne by an unknown author, c. 1570s (Wikimedia Commons — image resized by author)

There are several big names associated with philosophy. We’ve all heard of Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, and Nietzsche. Yet, you’re probably not familiar with the work of Michel de Montaigne.

Montaigne was a French philosopher from the sixteenth century and an influential thinker during the Renaissance period. His collected works, Essays, were published in 1580, and whilst they’re full of interesting ideas, the following life lessons are a good introduction to Montaigne’s wisdom:

1. Judgement is more important than knowledge

Montaigne criticises any form of education which does not encourage us to think for ourselves. Knowledge, he argues, must be built on our own. We shouldn’t accept everything we’re told, even if we’re being taught by someone in a position of authority, such as a parent or a lecturer.

“I do not like this relative and mendicant understanding. For though we could become learned by other men’s learning, a man can never be wise but by his own wisdom.” — Essays, Montaigne

According to Montaigne, judgement is more important than knowledge. The best tutors encourage exploration by leading from behind. They should challenge our ideas and advocate for free-thinking.

Without question, Montaigne would have been displeased with today’s educational institutions — teachers talk down to their students far too much. Because of this, it’s vital that we rewire our brains when we move into adulthood.

2. True independence involves listening to others

However, Montaigne doesn’t want us to become so fixated on independence that we neglect the influence of others. Balance is necessary.

Too often, we focus on displaying our own wisdom. Instead, silence, modesty, and attentiveness should be practised during our conversations. The person we’re speaking to will know something we don’t and if they back up their argument with evidence and logic, we should take on their wisdom.

“Human understanding is marvellously enlightened by daily conversation … for we are, otherwise, compressed and heaped in ourselves, and have our sight limited to the length of our own noses.”— Essays, Montaigne

It’s also important to admire those from different backgrounds. Montaigne, despite being a privileged writer and philosopher, emphasises his respect for peasants, bricklayers, and traders, for they have knowledge that he does not. Only a foolish person would look down upon those with less material wealth.

Some may argue that Montaigne’s words are contradictory. How can we be independent and influenced by others at the same time?

Well, it goes back to the idea of judgement. As well as finding our own path, true independence requires us to choose our influences. A wise individual will take great care when deciding whose words are worth acting upon.

3. A healthy body leads to wiser judgements

If we want to make wiser judgements, it’s important to take care of ourselves physically. Montaigne acknowledges his own physical difficulties, describing his body as weak when compared to his mind.

It is integral, therefore, that mothers and fathers toughen up their children rather than overprotect them. Exercise should be encouraged from an early age because a healthy body leads to wiser judgements.

“… our very exercises and recreations, running, wrestling, music, dancing, hunting, riding, fencing, will prove to be a good part of our study …”— Essays, Montaigne

Additionally, exercise makes us comfortable with pain. It doesn't matter if you’re a good person or a bad person, suffering is inevitable. Montaigne argues that we will be able to cope with our difficulties if exercise is a regular part of our lives.

Conclusion

Though the self-help market is booming with modern ideas, there’s nothing wrong with looking to the past for some guidance.

Montaigne tells us to balance independence with humility. We should pick our own path and make our own judgements without becoming arrogant, for we can always be enriched by the wisdom of others. If we look after ourselves physically, our judgements will be wiser still.

Such advice merely scratches the surface of Montaigne’s wisdom. Still, there’s no denying how valuable these simple ideas are.