All the world knows me in my book, and my book in me.
Michel De MontaigneRead
We are more unhappy to see people ahead of us than happy to see people behind us.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Human emotions are often influenced by our comparisons to others, leading to feelings of envy rather than joy.
This quote by Michel De Montaigne highlights a fundamental aspect of human psychology: our inclination to compare ourselves with others. Rather than finding contentment in our own achievements, we often find ourselves feeling discontent when we see others surpassing us. Conversely, the presence of those who are behind us can evoke a sense of satisfaction, illustrating how our happiness can be contingent upon our relative position in social hierarchies. This reflection urges us to consider how our emotions are shaped by external comparisons, fostering a need for introspection about what truly constitutes happiness.
Themes
UnhappinessComparisonEnvyHappinessPsychology
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal growth, one might use this quote to illustrate the dangers of envy.
More from Michel De Montaigne
All quotes βAll I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.
Michel De MontaigneRead
Pythagoras used to say that life resembles the Olympic Games: a few people strain their muscles to carry off a prize; others bring trinkets to sell to the crowd for gain; and some there are, and not the worst, who seek no other profit than to look at the show and see how and why everything is done; spectators of the life of other people in order to judge and regulate their own.
Michel De MontaigneRead
There is not much less vexation in the government of a private family than in the managing of an entire state.
Michel De MontaigneRead
Those who have compared our life to a dream were right... we were sleeping wake, and waking sleep.
Michel De MontaigneRead
Such as are in immediate fear of a losing their estates, of banishment, or of slavery, live in perpetual anguish, and lose all appetite and repose; whereas such as are actually poor, slaves, or exiles, ofttimes live as merrily as other folk.
Michel De MontaigneRead
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