--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In his commerce with men I mean him to…" description: "\"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 ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/michel-de-montaigne-142_bearing-fruit_in-his-commerce-with-men-i-mean-him-to-i_1993109.jpg" --- # In his commerce with men I mean him to include- and that… ![“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…” quote by Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/michel-de-montaigne-142_bearing-fruit_in-his-commerce-with-men-i-mean-him-to-i_1993109.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/michel-de-montaigne-142_bearing-fruit_in-his-commerce-with-men-i-mean-him-to-i_1993109.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/michel-de-montaigne-142_bearing-fruit_in-his-commerce-with-men-i-mean-him-to-i_1993109.jpg) > “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.” [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. Suggests history can be either wasteful or valuable, depending on how it’s used. **In simple terms:** History can be useless or useful. Key Takeaway Use history purposefully to gain insight. Themes knowledge history learning perspective Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - academic research - policy making - personal growth - cultural education Key Concepts historical analysis critical thinking value assessment Questions to Reflect On - What historical lessons apply to your life? - When does studying history become a waste? A Different Perspective Requires discernment of relevance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bearing fruit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bearing-fruit/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Commerce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commerce/) [Educational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/educational/) [Former](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/former/) [Fruit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fruit/) [Great souls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-souls/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [History Frequent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history-frequent-3466879/) [History Waste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history-waste-2358022/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Means History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/means-history-887944/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Memory Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory-books-2424229/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Study](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/study/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Want History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-history-686578/) [Waste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waste/) [Waste of time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waste-of-time/) [Wasting time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wasting-time/) [Words of wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-of-wisdom/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [If you want it to be so, history can be a waste of time; it can also be, if you want it to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/if-you-want-it-to-be-so-history-can-be-a-waste-of-time-it-can-also-be/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [The Gen X thinks history is a waste of time. This is instant world where only readymade things are valued.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilaiyaraaja/the-gen-x-thinks-history-is-a-waste-of-time-this-is-instant-world/) [Ilaiyaraaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilaiyaraaja/) > [I separate myself from my characters as much as possible, but I have these books that I create which are interactive diaries/timelines/memory books/pictures of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-sweeney/i-separate-myself-from-my-characters-as-much-as-possible-but-i-have/) [Sydney Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-sweeney/) > [I have an excellent memory - for books and authors, that is. I remember all the books I've read.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruskin-bond/i-have-an-excellent-memory-for-books-and-authors-that-is-i-remember/) [Ruskin Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruskin-bond/) > [My earliest memory of books is not of reading but of being read to. I spent hours listening, watching the face of the person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hisham-matar/my-earliest-memory-of-books-is-not-of-reading-but-of-being-read-to-i/) [Hisham Matar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hisham-matar/) > [Surrender means that the history of this heroic struggle will be written by the enemy; that our youth will be trained by Northern school…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-cleburne/surrender-means-that-the-history-of-this-heroic-struggle-will-be-2/) [Patrick Cleburne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-cleburne/) > [I don’t know much about history, and I wouldn’t give a nickel for all the history in the world. It means nothing to me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/i-don-t-know-much-about-history-and-i-wouldn-t-give-a-nickel-for-all/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [Surrender means that the history of this heroic struggle will be written by the enemy, that our youth will be trained by Northern school…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/surrender-means-that-the-history-of-this-heroic-struggle-will-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think the Messianic concept, which is the Jewish offering to mankind, is a great victory. What does it mean? It means that history…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/i-think-the-messianic-concept-which-is-the-jewish-offering-to-mankind/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [Winning and making history is something you can't buy. Me? I'm a guy who loves history. When I'm 60 or 70, I don't want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamarr-woodley/winning-and-making-history-is-something-you-can-t-buy-me-i-m-a-guy/) [LaMarr Woodley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamarr-woodley/) > [“Park had the sort of face you painted because you didn't want history to forget it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainbow-rowell/park-had-the-sort-of-face-you-painted-because-you-didn-t-want-history/) [Rainbow Rowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainbow-rowell/) > [I want to go down in the history books as one of the greatest female boxers of all time, and I think I'm on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-taylor/i-want-to-go-down-in-the-history-books-as-one-of-the-greatest-female/) [Katie Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-taylor/) > [“I want us to have history, something longer than the small window of time we're actually sharing...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-silvera/i-want-us-to-have-history-something-longer-than-the-small-window-of/) [Adam Silvera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-silvera/) > [I want to be in the history and people know me like double champ. This is my dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/islam-makhachev/i-want-to-be-in-the-history-and-people-know-me-like-double-champ-this/) [Islam Makhachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/islam-makhachev/) > [Once I've retired, I will come to London for fun. I want to go to the history museums.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peng-shuai/once-i-ve-retired-i-will-come-to-london-for-fun-i-want-to-go-to-the/) [Peng Shuai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peng-shuai/) ## 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 Bearing fruit quotes > [“If we choose to be distracted by the scores of things around us we may find ourselves either backsliding in our walks, or remaining…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-houge/if-we-choose-to-be-distracted-by-the-scores-of-things-around-us-we/) [Adam Houge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-houge/) > [“ One day is not enough to watch a tree, one life is not enough to love a tree. I wonder when i see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karthikeyan-v/one-day-is-not-enough-to-watch-a-tree-one-life-is-not-enough-to-love/) [Karthikeyan V](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karthikeyan-v/) > [I'm a quitter from serving myself and bearing fruit that rots on the shelf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zion-y-lennox/i-m-a-quitter-from-serving-myself-and-bearing-fruit-that-rots-on-the/) [Zion Y Lennox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zion-y-lennox/) > [How timid and frail is unrequited love? A place you entered of your own accord, but youre trapped inside, unable to find an exit.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/korean-drama/how-timid-and-frail-is-unrequited-love-a-place-you-entered-of-your/) [Korean Drama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/korean-drama/) > [“A world without adjectives would still have the sun rising and setting, the flowers blooming, the trees bearing fruits, the birds singing, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aa-patawaran/a-world-without-adjectives-would-still-have-the-sun-rising-and/) [AA Patawaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aa-patawaran/) > [“Fill. The third phase of dominion is to “fill” or “replenish” the earth. Bearing fruit, refining our gift, and mastering the use of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myles-munroe/fill-the-third-phase-of-dominion-is-to-fill-or-replenish-the-earth/) [Myles Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myles-munroe/) > [The processes of growth are gradual, bearing fruit in a decade, not a day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/the-processes-of-growth-are-gradual-bearing-fruit-in-a-decade-not-a/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [“Lust is the blessing of the fruit of the womb.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/lust-is-the-blessing-of-the-fruit-of-the-womb/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [Erudition can produce foliage without bearing fruit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/erudition-can-produce-foliage-without-bearing-fruit/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [“Who am I trying to fool? I'm well aware that at every stage of history there have been crimes against humanity, and they couldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahmoud-dowlatabadi/who-am-i-trying-to-fool-i-m-well-aware-that-at-every-stage-of-history/) [Mahmoud Dowlatabadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahmoud-dowlatabadi/) > [ “The doctrine of the carnal Christian\[32\] has destroyed more lives and sent more people to hell than you can imagine! Do Christians struggle with… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/the-doctrine-of-the-carnal-christian-32-has-destroyed-more-lives-and/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [Intelligence is the flower of discrimination. There are many examples of the flower blooming but not bearing fruit. Bushido is in being crazy to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nabeshima-naoshige/intelligence-is-the-flower-of-discrimination-there-are-many-examples/) [Nabeshima Naoshige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nabeshima-naoshige/) > [Bushido is in being crazy to die. Fifty or more could not kill one such a man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nabeshima-naoshige/bushido-is-in-being-crazy-to-die-fifty-or-more-could-not-kill-one/) [Nabeshima Naoshige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nabeshima-naoshige/) > [“...if one keeps seeking revenge, there will be no end to violence. To avenge the Chalukya Emperor’s invasion, the Kanchi Chakravarthy will invade Vatapi.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki/if-one-keeps-seeking-revenge-there-will-be-no-end-to-violence-to/) [Kalki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki/) > [It is a joy to Jesus when a person takes time to walk more intimately with Him. The bearing of fruit is always shown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/it-is-a-joy-to-jesus-when-a-person-takes-time-to-walk-more-intimately/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) [Browse all 35 Bearing fruit quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bearing-fruit/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "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. 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