--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We take other men's knowledge and…" description: "\"“We take other men's knowledge and opinions upon trust; which is an idle and superficial learning. We must make it our own. We are in this way much lik..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ec/michel-de-montaigne-142_learning_we-take-other-men-s-knowledge-and-opinio_1805784.jpg" --- # We take other men's knowledge and opinions upon trust… ![“We take other men's knowledge and opinions upon trust; which is an idle and superficial learning. We must make it our own. We are in this way much like him, who having need of fire, goes to a neighbour's house to fetch it, and finding a very good one there, sits down to warm without remembering to…” quote by Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ec/michel-de-montaigne-142_learning_we-take-other-men-s-knowledge-and-opinio_1805784.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ec/michel-de-montaigne-142_learning_we-take-other-men-s-knowledge-and-opinio_1805784.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ec/michel-de-montaigne-142_learning_we-take-other-men-s-knowledge-and-opinio_1805784.jpg) > ““We take other men's knowledge and opinions upon trust; which is an idle and superficial learning. We must make it our own. We are in this way much like him, who having need of fire, goes to a neighbour's house to fetch it, and finding a very good one there, sits down to warm without remembering to carry any with him home.”” [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. Learning by copying others without internalizing it is shallow; true understanding requires making knowledge personal and adaptable. **In simple terms:** Copying isn’t real learning. Key Takeaway Make knowledge your own through active engagement. Themes education learning authenticity Mood contemplative inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - teaching methods - self‑directed study - skill mastery - creative problem solving Key Concepts Constructivist learning critical thinking knowledge transfer Questions to Reflect On - How can you transform borrowed ideas into personal insight? - What practices help internalize new information? A Different Perspective May underestimate the value of foundational knowledge. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Men Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-knowledge-844611/) [Neighbour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neighbour/) [Opinions Trust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinions-trust-2071781/) [Trust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust/) [Trust Idle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust-idle-2071782/) ## Related quotes > [“...he found that after prolonged contact with Claire and her opinions, he had much less trust in physicians that heretofore - and he hadn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/he-found-that-after-prolonged-contact-with-claire-and-her-opinions-he/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [We can be knowledgable with other men's knowledge but we cannot be wise with other men's wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/we-can-be-knowledgable-with-other-men-s-knowledge-but-we-cannot-be/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [We can be knowledgeable with other men's knowledge, but we cannot be wise with other men's wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/we-can-be-knowledgeable-with-other-men-s-knowledge-but-we-cannot-be/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [“Arrogant men with knowledge make more noise from their mouth than making a sense from their mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/arrogant-men-with-knowledge-make-more-noise-from-their-mouth-than/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [“God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding  in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams  of every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cabal/god-gave-these-four-young-men-knowledge-and-understanding-in-every/) [Ted Cabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cabal/) > [Opinion in good men is but knowledge in the making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/opinion-in-good-men-is-but-knowledge-in-the-making/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [The natural desire of good men is knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/the-natural-desire-of-good-men-is-knowledge/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [Where there is much desire to learn, there of necessity will be much arguing, much writing, for opinion in good men is but knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/where-there-is-much-desire-to-learn-there-of-necessity-will-be-much/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [What men call knowledge, is the reasoned acceptance of false appearances. Wisdom looks behind the veil and sees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/what-men-call-knowledge-is-the-reasoned-acceptance-of-false/) [Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/) > [“for opinion in good men is but knowledge in the making.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-dunan-page/for-opinion-in-good-men-is-but-knowledge-in-the-making/) [Anne Dunan-page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-dunan-page/) > [Men should take their knowledge from the Sun, the Moon and the Stars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/men-should-take-their-knowledge-from-the-sun-the-moon-and-the-stars/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I am afraid that I do not believe that any body of men can have enough knowledge of the past, the present and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-james-cowperthwaite/i-am-afraid-that-i-do-not-believe-that-any-body-of-men-can-have/) [John James Cowperthwaite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-james-cowperthwaite/) > [“We are unknown to ourselves, we men of knowledge--and with good reason. We have never sought ourselves--how could it happen that we should ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/we-are-unknown-to-ourselves-we-men-of-knowledge-and-with-good-reason/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [We are nearer neighbours to ourselves than whiteness to snow, or weight to stones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/we-are-nearer-neighbours-to-ourselves-than-whiteness-to-snow-or/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Hackney gets a bit of a bad rap, but it's the only place I've ever lived that felt like a community. I know my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-horgan/hackney-gets-a-bit-of-a-bad-rap-but-it-s-the-only-place-i-ve-ever/) [Sharon Horgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-horgan/) ## 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 Learning quotes > [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [Just understand that the good that you want is already here. All you have to do is get in harmony with it. And you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/just-understand-that-the-good-that-you-want-is-already-here-all-you/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [“Men mistook measurement for understanding. And they always had to put themselves at the center of everything. That was their greatest conceit. The earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-harris/men-mistook-measurement-for-understanding-and-they-always-had-to-put/) [Robert Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-harris/) > [Sometimes we wish for the feel but we never understand that we have to give a lot to get the feel !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reynolds/sometimes-we-wish-for-the-feel-but-we-never-understand-that-we-have/) [Robert Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reynolds/) > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [Learning from the best, you will eventually become the best if you have the talent already, if you have that potential.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-orton/learning-from-the-best-you-will-eventually-become-the-best-if-you/) [Randy Orton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-orton/) > [Everything I do is more memorable and I understand music more than ever now. It's not a burden to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seungri/everything-i-do-is-more-memorable-and-i-understand-music-more-than/) [Seungri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seungri/) > [“let us not teach / what we have learned badly / and not profited by”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-d-hilda-doolittle/let-us-not-teach-what-we-have-learned-badly-and-not-profited-by/) [H.D. (Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-d-hilda-doolittle/) > [The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-size-of-a-man-s-understanding-might-always-be-justly-measured-by/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [once in awhile you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look it right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-garcia/once-in-awhile-you-get-shown-the-light-in-the-strangest-of-places-if/) [Jerry Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-garcia/) > [It's like saying French shouldn't be taught because you don't understand it because it's new. Shakespeare is just like learning a new, exciting language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-barnett/it-s-like-saying-french-shouldn-t-be-taught-because-you-don-t/) [Samuel Barnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-barnett/) > [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/) [Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/) > [Would she understand that time had stopped while she was gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/would-she-understand-that-time-had-stopped-while-she-was-gone/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [It's difficult for people to come to the understanding that only a small minority of the people ever really get the word about life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-nightingale/it-s-difficult-for-people-to-come-to-the-understanding-that-only-a/) [Earl Nightingale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-nightingale/) > [“Damen's understanding of Laurent rearranged itself, in order that he might despise him more accurately.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/damen-s-understanding-of-laurent-rearranged-itself-in-order-that-he/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) [Browse all 22,300 Learning quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We take other men's knowledge and opinions upon trust; which is an idle and superficial learning. We must make it our own. We are in this way much like him, who having need of fire, goes to a neighbour's house to fetch it, and finding a very good one there, sits down to warm without remembering to carry any with him home.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michel de Montaigne" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/we-take-other-men-s-knowledge-and-opinions-upon-trust-which-is-an/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Learning" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/we-take-other-men-s-knowledge-and-opinions-upon-trust-which-is-an/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ec/michel-de-montaigne-142_learning_we-take-other-men-s-knowledge-and-opinio_1805784.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ec/michel-de-montaigne-142_learning_we-take-other-men-s-knowledge-and-opinio_1805784.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ec/michel-de-montaigne-142_learning_we-take-other-men-s-knowledge-and-opinio_1805784.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We take other men's knowledge and opinions upon trust; which is an idle and superficial learning. We must…” — 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": "“We take other men's knowledge and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/we-take-other-men-s-knowledge-and-opinions-upon-trust-which-is-an/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/we-take-other-men-s-knowledge-and-opinions-upon-trust-which-is-an/#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 } } ] } ```