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I go out of my way, but rather by license than…

“I go out of my way, but rather by license than carelessness… It is the inattentive reader who loses my subject, not I. Some word about it will always be found off in a corner, which will not fail to be sufficient, though it takes little room.” quote by Michel de Montaigne
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“I go out of my way, but rather by license than carelessness… It is the inattentive reader who loses my subject, not I. Some word about it will always be found off in a corner, which will not fail to be sufficient, though it takes little room.”

Michel de Montaigne

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The author warns that careless reading leads to misunderstanding; attentive reading reveals hidden meaning.

In simple terms: Careful reading uncovers deeper meaning.

Key Takeaway

Read attentively to grasp nuance.

Themes

reading attention interpretation

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

educational philosophical

When to use this quote

  • academic study
  • personal reading
  • editing
  • teaching

Key Concepts

literary analysis mindfulness

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance thoroughness with efficiency?
  • When does over‑interpretation become a problem?
A Different Perspective

Some texts are intentionally ambiguous; over‑analysis can stall progress.

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