Anguish Quote by Michel de Montaigne
“Such as are in immediate fear of a losing their estates, of banishment, or of slavery, live in perpetual anguish, and lose all appetite and repose; whereas such as are actually poor, slaves, or exiles, ofttimes live as merrily as other folk.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Essays, Michel de Montaigne, 1580
Contrasting the fears of the privileged with the contentment of the truly poor, highlighting paradoxes of anxiety.
In simple terms: Fear often stems from status, not need.
Key Takeaway
Recognize true sources of anxiety.
Themes
philosophy
human nature
anxiety
Mood
reflective
philosophical
Type
thought‑provoking
observational
When to use this quote
- wealth management
- mental health
- social comparison
Key Concepts
paradox
contentment
social class
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do those with security fear loss?
- What can the privileged learn from the poor's resilience?
A Different Perspective
Even the wealthy can be less content than the poor.
![“My guess [is] . . . that the great majority of Americans are saying they favor gun control when they really mean gun banishment. . . . I think the country has long been ready to restrict the use of guns, except for hunting rifles and shotguns, and now I think we're prepared to get rid of the…” quote by Roger Rosenblatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/32a/roger-rosenblatt-13478_banishment_my-guess-is-that-the-great-majority-of-a_1099121.jpg)
