Barbarians Quote by Michel de Montaigne
“Each person calls barbarism whatever is not his or her own practice… We may call Cannibals barbarians, in respect to the rulesof reason, but not in respect to ourselves, who surpass them in every kind of barbarity.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: On the Custom of Barbarians, 1580, Michel de Montaigne
People label others as barbaric when they differ from their own customs, yet they ignore their own flaws.
In simple terms: We call others barbaric but ignore our own barbarity.
Key Takeaway
Question your judgments of others.
Themes
cultural relativism
ethics
self‑awareness
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- social debates
- education
- intercultural dialogue
- personal growth
Key Concepts
Moral philosophy
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What standards do you use to judge others?
- How can you recognize your own biases?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex cultural differences.
