--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I would rather be an expert on me than on…" description: "\"I would rather be an expert on me than on Cicero\" — Michel de Montaigne" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/michel-de-montaigne-142_experts_i-would-rather-be-an-expert-on-me-than-o_1133645.jpg" --- # I would rather be an expert on me than on Cicero ![“I would rather be an expert on me than on Cicero” quote by Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/michel-de-montaigne-142_experts_i-would-rather-be-an-expert-on-me-than-o_1133645.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/michel-de-montaigne-142_experts_i-would-rather-be-an-expert-on-me-than-o_1133645.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/michel-de-montaigne-142_experts_i-would-rather-be-an-expert-on-me-than-o_1133645.jpg) > “I would rather be an expert on me than on Cicero” [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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. Self‑knowledge is more valuable than external scholarly expertise. **In simple terms:** Know yourself better than others. Key Takeaway Prioritize self‑understanding. Themes self‑knowledge humility learning Mood contemplative inquisitive Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal development - mental health - leadership Key Concepts philosophy self‑reflection Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of yourself need deeper exploration? - How does self‑knowledge improve your decisions? A Different Perspective Focusing inward may neglect external knowledge. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Expert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expert/) [Experts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experts/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [As actors, you become an expert at starting over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupita-nyong-o/as-actors-you-become-an-expert-at-starting-over/) [Lupita Nyong'o](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupita-nyong-o/) > [A good writer is an expert on nothing except himself. And on that subject, if he is wise, he holds his tongue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-le-carre/a-good-writer-is-an-expert-on-nothing-except-himself-and-on-that/) [John le Carre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-le-carre/) > [My definition of an expert in any field is a person who knows enough about what's really going to be scared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-definition-of-an-expert-in-any-field-is-a-person-who-knows-enough/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You can be an expert any field of study with consistent effort and consistent learning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-can-be-an-expert-any-field-of-study-with-consistent-effort-and/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [I want to speak directly to the audience, to say, 'I'm like you - I'm frustrated, I'm not an expert, I don't have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/i-want-to-speak-directly-to-the-audience-to-say-i-m-like-you-i-m/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [An expert is an ordinary fella away from home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bum-phillips/an-expert-is-an-ordinary-fella-away-from-home/) [Bum Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bum-phillips/) > [In the fields I know best, among the life sciences, it is required that the most expert and sophisticated minds be capable of changing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-thomas/in-the-fields-i-know-best-among-the-life-sciences-it-is-required-that/) [Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/) > [It’s easy to be an expert if you’re the only one in the world with an interest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/it-s-easy-to-be-an-expert-if-you-re-the-only-one-in-the-world-with-an/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [The place of the expert is on tap not on top.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-place-of-the-expert-is-on-tap-not-on-top/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“certain professionals, while believing they are experts, are in fact not. Based on their empirical record, they do not know more about their subject…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/certain-professionals-while-believing-they-are-experts-are-in-fact/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [Every marriage is a mystery to me, even the one I'm in. So I'm no expert on it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/every-marriage-is-a-mystery-to-me-even-the-one-i-m-in-so-i-m-no/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [A person who has experienced something is almost always far more expert on it than are the experts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/a-person-who-has-experienced-something-is-almost-always-far-more/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [“I’m a scientific expert; that means I know nothing about absolutely everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/i-m-a-scientific-expert-that-means-i-know-nothing-about-absolutely/) [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [Experts don't know exactly where the boundaries of their expertise are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kahneman/experts-don-t-know-exactly-where-the-boundaries-of-their-expertise-are/) [Daniel Kahneman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kahneman/) > [An expert is the one who predicts the job will take the longest and cost the most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-bloch/an-expert-is-the-one-who-predicts-the-job-will-take-the-longest-and/) [Arthur Bloch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-bloch/) ## More by Michel de Montaigne > [No man is exempt from saying silly things; the mischief is to say them deliberately.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/no-man-is-exempt-from-saying-silly-things-the-mischief-is-to-say-them/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [The laws keep up their credit, not by being just, but because they are laws; 'tis the mystic foundation of their authority; they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-laws-keep-up-their-credit-not-by-being-just-but-because-they-are/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Every one rushes elsewhere and into the future, because no one wants to face one's own inner self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/every-one-rushes-elsewhere-and-into-the-future-because-no-one-wants/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Beauty is the true prerogative of women, and so peculiarly their own, that our sex, though naturally requiring another sort of feature, is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/beauty-is-the-true-prerogative-of-women-and-so-peculiarly-their-own/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [The height and value of true virtue consists in the facility, utility, and pleasure of its exercise; so far from difficulty, that boys, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-height-and-value-of-true-virtue-consists-in-the-facility-utility/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Fie on the eloquence that leaves us craving itself, not things!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/fie-on-the-eloquence-that-leaves-us-craving-itself-not-things/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [The plainest sign of wisdom is a continual cheerfulness: her state is like that of things in the regions above the moon, always clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-plainest-sign-of-wisdom-is-a-continual-cheerfulness-her-state-is/) [Michel De Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [The corruption of the age is made up by the particular contribution of every individual man; some contribute treachery, others injustice, atheism, tyranny, avarice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-corruption-of-the-age-is-made-up-by-the-particular-contribution/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [If people must be talking about me, I would have it to be truthfully and justly. I would willingly return from the next world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/if-people-must-be-talking-about-me-i-would-have-it-to-be-truthfully/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Most pleasures embrace us but to strangle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/most-pleasures-embrace-us-but-to-strangle/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [In true friendship, in which I am expert, I give myself to my friend more than I draw him to me. I not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/in-true-friendship-in-which-i-am-expert-i-give-myself-to-my-friend/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [There are as many and innumerable degrees of wit, as there are cubits between this and heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/there-are-as-many-and-innumerable-degrees-of-wit-as-there-are-cubits/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [A man has need of tough ears to hear himself fairly judged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/a-man-has-need-of-tough-ears-to-hear-himself-fairly-judged/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Lucius Arruntius killed himself, he said, to escape both the future and the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/lucius-arruntius-killed-himself-he-said-to-escape-both-the-future-and/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [I have a vocabulary all my own. I pass the time when itis wet and disagreeable. Whenit is fine I do not wish to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/i-have-a-vocabulary-all-my-own-i-pass-the-time-when-itis-wet-and/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) [Explore all 1,131 Michel de Montaigne quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) ## More Cicero quotes > [What Cicero said of men-that they are like wines, age souring the bad, and bettering the good-we can say of misfortune, that it has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul/what-cicero-said-of-men-that-they-are-like-wines-age-souring-the-bad/) [Jean Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul/) > [Cicero most reminds me of Harold Wilson. Both men knew how to keep the show on the road.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-harris/cicero-most-reminds-me-of-harold-wilson-both-men-knew-how-to-keep-the/) [Robert Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-harris/) > [To live without having a Cicero and a Tacitus at hand seems to me as if it was aprivation of one of my limbs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/to-live-without-having-a-cicero-and-a-tacitus-at-hand-seems-to-me-as/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [“No one can really claim to know politics properly until he has stayed up all night writing a speech for delivery the following day.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-harris/no-one-can-really-claim-to-know-politics-properly-until-he-has-stayed/) [Robert Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-harris/) > [I studied Latin in high school, and I was reading stuff from Cicero. And that signal took a few thousand years to get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/i-studied-latin-in-high-school-and-i-was-reading-stuff-from-cicero/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [“Cicero considera ca tot ce se intampla dupa o lunga asteptare e mai usor de suportat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristian-niculcea/cicero-considera-ca-tot-ce-se-intampla-dupa-o-lunga-asteptare-e-mai/) [Cristian Niculcea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristian-niculcea/) > [Cicero, in his treatise concerning the Nature of the Gods, having said that three Jupiters were enumerated by theologians, adds that the third was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lactantius/cicero-in-his-treatise-concerning-the-nature-of-the-gods-having-said/) [Lactantius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lactantius/) > [Who does not more admire Cicero as an author than as a consul of Rome?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/who-does-not-more-admire-cicero-as-an-author-than-as-a-consul-of-rome/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“The sword must yield to the toga, Cicero had told the Roman Senate, and the friars in the Philippines thought a cassock was as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-rizal/the-sword-must-yield-to-the-toga-cicero-had-told-the-roman-senate-and/) [José Rizal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-rizal/) > [“And yet in the weakest of men, in moments when they are alone and themselves, I have found veins of strength like gold in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edward-williams/and-yet-in-the-weakest-of-men-in-moments-when-they-are-alone-and/) John Edward Williams > [“Speak as educated nature suggests to you, and you will do well, but let it be educated and not raw, rude, uncultivated nature. Demosthenes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/speak-as-educated-nature-suggests-to-you-and-you-will-do-well-but-let/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [It is observed by Cicero, that men of the greatest and most shining parts are most actuated by ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/it-is-observed-by-cicero-that-men-of-the-greatest-and-most-shining/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“For what is the life of a man, if it is not interwoven with the life of former generations by as sense of history.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-goldsworthy/for-what-is-the-life-of-a-man-if-it-is-not-interwoven-with-the-life/) [Adrian Goldsworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-goldsworthy/) > [ “It is more important to have greatly extended the frontiers of the Roman spirit than the frontiers of the Roman empire. \[Speaking of Cicero\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-more-important-to-have-greatly-extended-the-frontiers-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Cicero smiled at us. 'The art of life is to deal with problems as they arise, rather than destory one's spirit by worrying about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-harris/cicero-smiled-at-us-the-art-of-life-is-to-deal-with-problems-as-they/) [Robert Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-harris/) Browse all 63 Cicero quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I would rather be an expert on me than on Cicero", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michel de Montaigne" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/i-would-rather-be-an-expert-on-me-than-on-cicero/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cicero" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/i-would-rather-be-an-expert-on-me-than-on-cicero/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/michel-de-montaigne-142_experts_i-would-rather-be-an-expert-on-me-than-o_1133645.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/michel-de-montaigne-142_experts_i-would-rather-be-an-expert-on-me-than-o_1133645.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/michel-de-montaigne-142_experts_i-would-rather-be-an-expert-on-me-than-o_1133645.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I would rather be an expert on me than on Cicero” — Michel de Montaigne", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Michel de Montaigne", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I would rather be an expert...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/i-would-rather-be-an-expert-on-me-than-on-cicero/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/i-would-rather-be-an-expert-on-me-than-on-cicero/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```