Flaubert teaches you to gave upon the truth and not blink…
““Flaubert teaches you to gave upon the truth and not blink from its consequences; he teaches you, with Montaigne, to sleep on the pillow of doubt; he teaches you to dissect out the constituent parts of reality, and to observe the Nature is always a mixture of genres; he teaches you the most exact use of language; he teaches you not to approach a book in search of moral or social pills -- literature is not a pharmacopoeia; he teaches the pre-eminence of Truth, Beauty, Feeling and Style. And if you study his private life, he teaches courage, stoicism, friendship; the importance of intelligence, skepticism and wit; the folly of cheap patriotism; the virtue of being able to remain by yourself in your own room; the hatred of hypocrisy; distrust of the doctrinaire; the need for plain speaking.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Barnes highlights how Flaubert and Montaigne teach rigorous truth‑seeking, doubt, genre blending, precise language, and a rejection of didactic literature, while also valuing truth, beauty, feeling, style, and personal virtues like courage and skepticism.
In simple terms: Flaubert and Montaigne model critical, honest, and artistic inquiry.
Key Takeaway
Embrace doubt, seek truth, value style.
Themes
critical inquiry
literary analysis
philosophy
personal growth
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
inspirational
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- writing critique
- academic study
- personal reflection
- teaching literature
- creative practice
Key Concepts
truth‑seeking
skepticism
aesthetic appreciation
stoicism
friendship
Questions to Reflect On
- How does doubt enhance creativity?
- When should moral concerns guide reading?
A Different Perspective
May become overly intellectual, neglecting emotional resonance.