--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is an old Greek saying that men are…" description: "\"“There is an old Greek saying that men are tormented not by things themselves but by what they think about them. If that assertion could be proved to b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cc/michel-de-montaigne-142_bitter-taste_there-is-an-old-greek-saying-that-men-ar_2010824.jpg" --- # There is an old Greek saying that men are tormented not by… ![“There is an old Greek saying that men are tormented not by things themselves but by what they think about them. If that assertion could be proved to be always true everywhere it would be an important point gained of the comforting of our wretched human condition. For if ills can only enter us…” quote by Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cc/michel-de-montaigne-142_bitter-taste_there-is-an-old-greek-saying-that-men-ar_2010824.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cc/michel-de-montaigne-142_bitter-taste_there-is-an-old-greek-saying-that-men-ar_2010824.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cc/michel-de-montaigne-142_bitter-taste_there-is-an-old-greek-saying-that-men-ar_2010824.jpg) > ““There is an old Greek saying that men are tormented not by things themselves but by what they think about them. If that assertion could be proved to be always true everywhere it would be an important point gained of the comforting of our wretched human condition. For if ills can only enter us through our judgemente it would seem to be in our power either to despise them or to deflect them towards the good: if the things actually do trow themselves on our mercy why do we not act as their masters and accomodate them to our advantage? If what we call evil or torment are only evil or torment insofar as our mental apprehension endows them with those qualities when it lies within our power to change those qualities. And if we did have such a choice and were free from constraint we would be curiously mad to pull in the direction which hurst us most, endowing sickness, poverty or insolence with a bad and bitter taste when we could give them a pleasent one, Fortune simply furnishing us with the matter and leaving it to us to supply the form. Let us see whether a case can be made for what we call evil not being an evil in itself or (since it amounts to the same) whether at least it is up to us to endow it with a different savour and aspect.”” [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. Our perception shapes suffering; by changing our judgments we can transform perceived evils into neutral or beneficial experiences. **In simple terms:** Changing thoughts can change the nature of suffering. Key Takeaway Reframe judgments to lessen perceived harm. Themes philosophy perception control Mood contemplative inquisitive Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - personal crises - social injustice - health challenges Key Concepts cognitive reframing stoicism subjectivity Questions to Reflect On - What judgments cause you the most distress? - Can you find a neutral view of a current problem? A Different Perspective Reframing may not alter external realities, only internal experience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bitter taste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bitter-taste/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Evil Torment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil-torment-3590350/) [Human condition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-condition/) [Old greek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-greek/) [Power to change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-to-change/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Torment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torment/) [Torment Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torment-evil-3590349/) [Torment Insofar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torment-insofar-3590351/) ## Related quotes > [We need new art. Old art cannot do that. 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For if ills can only enter us through our judgemente it would seem to be in our power either to despise them or to deflect them towards the good: if the things actually do trow themselves on our mercy why do we not act as their masters and accomodate them to our advantage? If what we call evil or torment are only evil or torment insofar as our mental apprehension endows them with those qualities when it lies within our power to change those qualities. And if we did have such a choice and were free from constraint we would be curiously mad to pull in the direction which hurst us most, endowing sickness, poverty or insolence with a bad and bitter taste when we could give them a pleasent one, Fortune simply furnishing us with the matter and leaving it to us to supply the form. 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