--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Men do not know the natural infirmity of…" description: "\"Men do not know the natural infirmity of their mind: it does nothing but ferret and quest, and keeps incessantly whirling around, building up and becom..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/177/michel-de-montaigne-142_adventure_men-do-not-know-the-natural-infirmity-of_1971643.jpg" --- # Men do not know the natural infirmity of their mind: it… ![“Men do not know the natural infirmity of their mind: it does nothing but ferret and quest, and keeps incessantly whirling around, building up and becoming entangled in its own work, like silkworms, and is suffocated in it. A mouse in a pitch barrel...thinks it notices from a distance some sort of…” quote by Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/177/michel-de-montaigne-142_adventure_men-do-not-know-the-natural-infirmity-of_1971643.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/177/michel-de-montaigne-142_adventure_men-do-not-know-the-natural-infirmity-of_1971643.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/177/michel-de-montaigne-142_adventure_men-do-not-know-the-natural-infirmity-of_1971643.jpg) > “Men do not know the natural infirmity of their mind: it does nothing but ferret and quest, and keeps incessantly whirling around, building up and becoming entangled in its own work, like silkworms, and is suffocated in it. A mouse in a pitch barrel...thinks it notices from a distance some sort of glimmer of imaginary light and truth; but while running toward it, it is crossed by so many difficulties and obstacles, and diverted by so many new quests, that it strays from the road, bewildered.” [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. The mind is prone to endless, tangled pursuits that distract from true understanding, much like a mouse chasing false light while stumbling over obstacles. **In simple terms:** Our thoughts get tangled in endless quests, losing focus on truth. Key Takeaway Recognize and simplify mental pursuits. Themes self-awareness focus mental clarity Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily meditation - goal setting - study sessions - creative work Key Concepts philosophy psychology cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - What mental habits keep you tangled? - How can you simplify your focus? A Different Perspective Overcoming habitual distraction requires sustained discipline. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adventure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adventure/) [Barrels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barrels/) [Becoming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/becoming/) [Bewildered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bewildered/) [Building](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/building/) [Building up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/building-up/) [Difficulty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficulty/) [Distance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distance/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Ferrets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ferrets/) [Imaginary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imaginary/) [Incessantly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incessantly/) [Incessantly Whirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incessantly-whirling-3314926/) [Infirmity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infirmity/) [Infirmity Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infirmity-mind-3314924/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Like Silkworms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-silkworms-3314925/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mice/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural/) [Natural Infirmity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-infirmity-3314928/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Quests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quests/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Suffocated Mouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffocated-mouse-3314927/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [Idleness is more an infirmity of the mind than of the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/idleness-is-more-an-infirmity-of-the-mind-than-of-the-body/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [Slicing a warm slab of bacon is a lot like giving a ferret a shave. 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We've just begun our journey...and there's so much we have yet to do.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/leo-smiled-and-stroked-her-hair-we-ll-both-be-fine-marks-we-ve-just/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [I don't appreciate people who celebrate their dog's birthdays with "dog parties," and then invite their friends who don't even have dogs. I understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-handler/i-don-t-appreciate-people-who-celebrate-their-dog-s-birthdays-with/) [Chelsea Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-handler/) > [“The Duchess! The Duchess! Oh my dear paws! Oh my fur and whiskers! She’ll get me executed, as sure as ferrets are ferrets! Where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/the-duchess-the-duchess-oh-my-dear-paws-oh-my-fur-and-whiskers-she-ll/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [Wherever you may seek solitude, men will ferret you out and compel you to belong to their desperate company of oddfellows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/wherever-you-may-seek-solitude-men-will-ferret-you-out-and-compel-you/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Haste makes waste, so I rarely hurry. But if a ferret were about to dart up my dress, I'd run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheshire-cat/haste-makes-waste-so-i-rarely-hurry-but-if-a-ferret-were-about-to/) [Cheshire Cat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheshire-cat/) > [Cole - I just thought of a new game. Jaz - What's that? Cole - Splat the Specter. Jaz - Rules? Cole - You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rardin/cole-i-just-thought-of-a-new-game-jaz-what-s-that-cole-splat-the/) [Jennifer Rardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-rardin/) > [OH NO YOU DON’T, LADDIE!” Harry spun around. Professor Moody was limping down the marble staircase. His wand was out and it was pointing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/oh-no-you-don-t-laddie-harry-spun-around-professor-moody-was-limping/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [He's like a demented ferret up a wee drainpipe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mclaren/he-s-like-a-demented-ferret-up-a-wee-drainpipe/) [Bill McLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mclaren/) ## 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 Adventure quotes > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [I painted the words "GREAT ADVENTURE" in Beijing, Dallas, San Francisco, Copenhagen, and Japan. 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You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yu/what-a-thrill-you-know-you-ve-entered-new-territory-when-you-realise/) [Jessica Yu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-yu/) > [“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-supertramp-chris-mccandless/so-many-people-live-within-unhappy-circumstances-and-yet-will-not/) [Alexander Supertramp Chris McCandless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-supertramp-chris-mccandless/) > [A common fallacy in much of the adverse criticism to which science is subjected today is that it claims certainty, infallibility and complete emotional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/a-common-fallacy-in-much-of-the-adverse-criticism-to-which-science-is/) [Cyril Norman Hinshelwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/) > [“Exactly. I think the original tantric Buddhists took notice of was some very wise old people who never studied in their youth, but took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-niemczura/exactly-i-think-the-original-tantric-buddhists-took-notice-of-was/) [Joe Niemczura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-niemczura/) > [As an adventurer...I try to protect against the downside. I make sure I have covered as many eventualities as I can. In the end,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/as-an-adventurer-i-try-to-protect-against-the-downside-i-make-sure-i/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [“Love can give you such happiness, then can break the very heart it filled, leaving a hole that can never be fixed or protected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mcleod/love-can-give-you-such-happiness-then-can-break-the-very-heart-it/) [Kevin McLeod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mcleod/) > [“It always gave Wolf a peculiar thrill thus to tighten his grip upon his stick, thus to wrap himself more closely in his faded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cowper-powys/it-always-gave-wolf-a-peculiar-thrill-thus-to-tighten-his-grip-upon/) [John Cowper Powys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cowper-powys/) > [“It all had to be squeezed and squeezed again, to provide a thrill, to provide enjoyment. 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