--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Montaigne [puts] not self-satisfied…" description: "\"Montaigne [puts] not self-satisfied understanding but a consciousness astonished at itself at the core of human existence.\" — Maurice Merleau-Ponty" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3c/maurice-merleau-ponty-2834_consciousness_montaigne-puts-not-self-satisfied-unders_1427199.jpg" --- # Montaigne \[puts\] not self-satisfied understanding but a… ![“Montaigne [puts] not self-satisfied understanding but a consciousness astonished at itself at the core of human existence.” quote by Maurice Merleau-Ponty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3c/maurice-merleau-ponty-2834_consciousness_montaigne-puts-not-self-satisfied-unders_1427199.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3c/maurice-merleau-ponty-2834_consciousness_montaigne-puts-not-self-satisfied-unders_1427199.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3c/maurice-merleau-ponty-2834_consciousness_montaigne-puts-not-self-satisfied-unders_1427199.jpg) > “Montaigne \[puts\] not self-satisfied understanding but a consciousness astonished at itself at the core of human existence.” [Maurice Merleau-Ponty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-merleau-ponty/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Montaigne promotes a self‑astonished consciousness over self‑satisfaction. **In simple terms:** Self‑astonishment over complacency. Key Takeaway Embrace humility and wonder. Themes humility self‑awareness existentialism Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - education - creative work - spiritual practice Key Concepts phenomenology critical self‑reflection Questions to Reflect On - What astonishes you about yourself? - How to avoid self‑satisfaction? A Different Perspective Self‑astonishment can cause anxiety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Astonished Core](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astonished-core-5071046/) [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Consciousness Astonished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness-astonished-5071045/) [Core](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/core/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Human existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-existence/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Satisfied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satisfied/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) [Understanding Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding-consciousness-2334299/) ## Related quotes > [The feeling of an unbridgeable gulf between consciousness and brain-process:When does this feeling occur in the present case?It is when I (for example) turn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-wittgenstein/the-feeling-of-an-unbridgeable-gulf-between-consciousness-and-brain/) [Ludwig Wittgenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-wittgenstein/) > [If the tonal predominates, which we see now more in the world, there's no mystery - understanding of consciousness or awareness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-the-tonal-predominates-which-we-see-now-more-in-the-world-there-s/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I have a much easier time imagining how we would understand the big bang, even though we can't do it yet, than I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-witten/i-have-a-much-easier-time-imagining-how-we-would-understand-the-big/) [Edward Witten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-witten/) > [The themes that run through all my work are that consciousness is the ultimate reality; and that by understanding consciousness, you understand everything about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-themes-that-run-through-all-my-work-are-that-consciousness-is-the/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Consciousness is not a bunch of thoughts or a certain level of understanding. 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