--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The plague of man is boasting of his…" description: "\"The plague of man is boasting of his knowledge.\" — Michel de Montaigne" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab5/michel-de-montaigne-142_boast_the-plague-of-man-is-boasting-of-his-kno_512645.jpg" --- # The plague of man is boasting of his knowledge. ![“The plague of man is boasting of his knowledge.” quote by Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab5/michel-de-montaigne-142_boast_the-plague-of-man-is-boasting-of-his-kno_512645.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab5/michel-de-montaigne-142_boast_the-plague-of-man-is-boasting-of-his-kno_512645.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab5/michel-de-montaigne-142_boast_the-plague-of-man-is-boasting-of-his-kno_512645.jpg) > “The plague of man is boasting of his knowledge.” [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. Human arrogance stems from overvaluing knowledge and neglecting humility. **In simple terms:** Pride in knowledge blinds us. Key Takeaway Cultivate humility over boasting. Themes humility knowledge pride Mood reflective serious Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - academic debates - leadership decisions - personal growth - teaching - public speaking Key Concepts human nature ego intellectual arrogance Questions to Reflect On - How does your knowledge affect your relationships? - When have you humbled yourself after learning? A Different Perspective Excessive confidence can inspire innovation when balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boast/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Plague](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plague/) ## Related quotes > [There is a plague on Man, the opinion that he knows something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/there-is-a-plague-on-man-the-opinion-that-he-knows-something/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [“According to the Prophet, the four blemishes of knowledge are boasting of one’s knowledge and feeling superior on account of it to recognized scholars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/according-to-the-prophet-the-four-blemishes-of-knowledge-are-boasting/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [“Fear was the worst evil ever to plague a man, for with it came hesitation and with that, inaction, failure, death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-mcphail/fear-was-the-worst-evil-ever-to-plague-a-man-for-with-it-came/) [Melissa McPhail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-mcphail/) > [Boasting, like gilded armour, is very different inside from outside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/boasting-like-gilded-armour-is-very-different-inside-from-outside/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [Mostly every one is needing some one to be one listening to that one being one being one boasting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/mostly-every-one-is-needing-some-one-to-be-one-listening-to-that-one/) [Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/) > [“Much of someone's real character lies in what they don't say about themselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-rachelle/much-of-someone-s-real-character-lies-in-what-they-don-t-say-about/) [Joyce Rachelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-rachelle/) > [Criticism is an indirect form of self-boasting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmet-fox/criticism-is-an-indirect-form-of-self-boasting/) [Emmet Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmet-fox/) > [The truest human is the one whose conduct proceeds from goodwill and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self control is equal to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markesa-yeager/the-truest-human-is-the-one-whose-conduct-proceeds-from-goodwill-and/) [Markesa Yeager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markesa-yeager/) > [“I can arrogantly brag that the doors I choose in life open wide and grant me unobstructed passage. But the widest doors tend to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/i-can-arrogantly-brag-that-the-doors-i-choose-in-life-open-wide-and/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [Every lover's lament has an element of boasting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/every-lover-s-lament-has-an-element-of-boasting/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [When boasting ends, there dignity begins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-d-young/when-boasting-ends-there-dignity-begins/) [Owen D. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-d-young/) > [Hopefully, when your actions and deeds - and therefore other people - boast for you, you're made tired of hearing it, too, from your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/hopefully-when-your-actions-and-deeds-and-therefore-other-people/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [Boasting is only a masked shame; it does not truly believe in itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/boasting-is-only-a-masked-shame-it-does-not-truly-believe-in-itself/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [“A classic is read not to enjoy but only to be boast about it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aman-jassal/a-classic-is-read-not-to-enjoy-but-only-to-be-boast-about-it/) [Aman Jassal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aman-jassal/) > [Win without boasting. Lose without excuse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-payson-terhune/win-without-boasting-lose-without-excuse/) [Albert Payson Terhune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-payson-terhune/) ## 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 Boast quotes > [It would be a piece of ingenuousness to accuse the man of today of his lack of moral code. The accusation would leave him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-ortega-y-gasset/it-would-be-a-piece-of-ingenuousness-to-accuse-the-man-of-today-of/) [Jose Ortega y Gasset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-ortega-y-gasset/) > [Win without boasting. Lose without excuse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-payson-terhune/win-without-boasting-lose-without-excuse/) [Albert Payson Terhune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-payson-terhune/) > [Further conceive, I beg, that a stone, while continuing in motion, should be capable of thinking and knowing, that it is endeavoring, as far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/further-conceive-i-beg-that-a-stone-while-continuing-in-motion-should/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Boasting and bravado may exist in the breast even of the coward, if he is successful through a mere lucky hit; but a just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/boasting-and-bravado-may-exist-in-the-breast-even-of-the-coward-if-he/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [“In general, poor is polite and rich is rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/in-general-poor-is-polite-and-rich-is-rude/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [“in other words, his story was part boast, part confession.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-mezrich/in-other-words-his-story-was-part-boast-part-confession/) [Ben Mezrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-mezrich/) > [We are not saints, but we have kept our appointment. How many people can boast as much?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-beckett/we-are-not-saints-but-we-have-kept-our-appointment-how-many-people/) [Samuel Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-beckett/) > [Boast is always a cry of despair, except in the young it is a cry of hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-berenson/boast-is-always-a-cry-of-despair-except-in-the-young-it-is-a-cry-of/) [Bernard Berenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-berenson/) > [“A classic is read not to enjoy but only to be boast about it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aman-jassal/a-classic-is-read-not-to-enjoy-but-only-to-be-boast-about-it/) [Aman Jassal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aman-jassal/) > [Buonaparte has often made his boast that our fleet would be worn out by keeping the sea and that his was kept in order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horatio-nelson/buonaparte-has-often-made-his-boast-that-our-fleet-would-be-worn-out/) [Horatio Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horatio-nelson/) > [Wisdom can boast no higher attainment than happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-radcliffe/wisdom-can-boast-no-higher-attainment-than-happiness/) [Ann Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-radcliffe/) > [But thou art fair, and at thy birth, dear boy, Nature and Fortune join'd to make thee great: Of Nature's gifts thou mayst with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/but-thou-art-fair-and-at-thy-birth-dear-boy-nature-and-fortune-join-d/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Science appears but what in truth she is, Not as our glory and our absolute boast, But as a succedaneum, and a prop To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wordsworth/science-appears-but-what-in-truth-she-is-not-as-our-glory-and-our/) [William Wordsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wordsworth/) > [It has, therefore, been a favorite boast of the people of Wales and Cornwall, that the original British stock flourishes in its unmixed purity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/it-has-therefore-been-a-favorite-boast-of-the-people-of-wales-and/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [Boasting is only a masked shame; it does not truly believe in itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/boasting-is-only-a-masked-shame-it-does-not-truly-believe-in-itself/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) [Browse all 567 Boast quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boast/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The plague of man is boasting of his knowledge.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michel de Montaigne" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-plague-of-man-is-boasting-of-his-knowledge/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Boast" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-plague-of-man-is-boasting-of-his-knowledge/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab5/michel-de-montaigne-142_boast_the-plague-of-man-is-boasting-of-his-kno_512645.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab5/michel-de-montaigne-142_boast_the-plague-of-man-is-boasting-of-his-kno_512645.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab5/michel-de-montaigne-142_boast_the-plague-of-man-is-boasting-of-his-kno_512645.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The plague of man is boasting of his knowledge.” — 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": "The plague of man is boasting...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-plague-of-man-is-boasting-of-his-knowledge/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-plague-of-man-is-boasting-of-his-knowledge/#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 } } ] } ```