Bearing fruit Quote by Michel de Montaigne
“In his commerce with men I mean him to include- and that principally- those who live only in the memory of books. By means of history he will frequent those great souls of former years. If you want it to be so, history can be a waste of time; it can also be, if you want it to be so, a study bearing fruit beyond price.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Apology for Raymond Sebond,” 1580
Suggests history can be either wasteful or valuable, depending on how it’s used.
In simple terms: History can be useless or useful.
Use history purposefully to gain insight.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic research
- policy making
- personal growth
- cultural education
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What historical lessons apply to your life?
- When does studying history become a waste?
Requires discernment of relevance.