--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You never speak about yourself without…" description: "\"“You never speak about yourself without loss. Your self-condemnation is always accredited, your self-praise discredited. There may be some people of my..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/michel-de-montaigne-142_bad-music_you-never-speak-about-yourself-without-l_1756188.jpg" --- # You never speak about yourself without loss. Your… ![“You never speak about yourself without loss. Your self-condemnation is always accredited, your self-praise discredited. There may be some people of my temperament, I who learn better by contrast than by example, and by flight than by pursuit. This was the sort of teaching that Cato the Elder had…” quote by Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/michel-de-montaigne-142_bad-music_you-never-speak-about-yourself-without-l_1756188.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/michel-de-montaigne-142_bad-music_you-never-speak-about-yourself-without-l_1756188.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/michel-de-montaigne-142_bad-music_you-never-speak-about-yourself-without-l_1756188.jpg) > ““You never speak about yourself without loss. Your self-condemnation is always accredited, your self-praise discredited. There may be some people of my temperament, I who learn better by contrast than by example, and by flight than by pursuit. This was the sort of teaching that Cato the Elder had in view when he said that the wise have more to learn from the fools than the fools from the wise; and also that ancient lyre player who, Pausanias tells us, was accustomed to force his pupils to go hear a bad musician who lived across the way, where they might learn to hate his discords and false measures.”” [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. Self‑knowledge grows when we learn from failures and from those we consider foolish, using contrast rather than imitation. **In simple terms:** Learn from mistakes and fools. Key Takeaway Seek lessons in contrast, not just imitation. Themes self‑knowledge learning contrast humility wisdom Mood analytical thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical didactic When to use this quote - personal reflection - educational settings - coaching - self‑improvement programs Key Concepts contrasting examples self‑critique learning from adversity Questions to Reflect On - What bad examples have taught you valuable lessons? - How do you balance learning from fools and from mentors? A Different Perspective The approach may undervalue positive role models. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-music/) [Cato The Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cato-the-elder-216373/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Loss Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loss-self-624386/) [Praise Discredited](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise-discredited-1649035/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self Condemnation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-condemnation-576085/) [Self praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-praise/) ## Related quotes > [You would make a great teacher. (Grace) Commander to teacher. Why not call me Cato the Elder, and really insult me while you’re at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/you-would-make-a-great-teacher-grace-commander-to-teacher-why-not/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [History is replete with proofs, from Cato the Elder to Kennedy the Younger, that if you scratch a statesman you find an actor, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-thurber/history-is-replete-with-proofs-from-cato-the-elder-to-kennedy-the/) [James Thurber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-thurber/) > [“After I’m dead I’d rather have people ask why I have no monument than why I have one.” —Cato the Elder”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-ross/after-i-m-dead-i-d-rather-have-people-ask-why-i-have-no-monument-than/) [Greg Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-ross/) > [“Commander to teacher. Why not call me Cato the Elder, and really insult me while you're at it? (Julian)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/commander-to-teacher-why-not-call-me-cato-the-elder-and-really-insult/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“Thieves of private property pass their lives in chains; thieves of public property in riches and luxury. CATO THE ELDER1”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-duncan/thieves-of-private-property-pass-their-lives-in-chains-thieves-of-2/) [Mike Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-duncan/) > [Self-condemnation is God's absolution; and pleading guilty, acquittal at his bar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-a-bartol/self-condemnation-is-god-s-absolution-and-pleading-guilty-acquittal/) [C. A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-a-bartol/) > [“Although we may hate ourselves, at the same time we find our self-hatred a kind of occupation. In spite of the fact that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/although-we-may-hate-ourselves-at-the-same-time-we-find-our-self/) [Chögyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [Let go of self-condemnation and guilt!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tae-yun-kim/let-go-of-self-condemnation-and-guilt/) [Tae Yun Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tae-yun-kim/) > [“Self-condemnation means speaking against one's own success. If can't stop confirming your incompetencies for what you are competent for, you are unlikely do pursue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/self-condemnation-means-speaking-against-one-s-own-success-if-can-t/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [All you need is already within you, only you must approach your self with reverence and love. Self-condemnation and self-distrust are grievous errors. Your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-you-need-is-already-within-you-only-you-must-approach-your-self/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“There are days when the sharp edge of self-condemnation cuts you so deep that you can be reaching, grasping, but can’t seem to remember…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/there-are-days-when-the-sharp-edge-of-self-condemnation-cuts-you-so/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [“Much self-condemnation is a cloak for arrogance. Those who think they overcome pride by condemning themselves could well ponder Spinoza's remark "One who despises…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/much-self-condemnation-is-a-cloak-for-arrogance-those-who-think-they/) [Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/) > [“Have you ever watched a baby learning to walk? He totters, arms stretched out to balance himself. He wobbles - and falls, perhaps bumps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/have-you-ever-watched-a-baby-learning-to-walk-he-totters-arms/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) > [“All you need is already within you, only you must approach yourself with reverence and love. Self-condemnation and self-distrust are grievous errors . . .”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/all-you-need-is-already-within-you-only-you-must-approach-yourself/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [I believe one of our souls' major purposes is to know, love, and express our authentic selves. To live the life and be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-thoele/i-believe-one-of-our-souls-major-purposes-is-to-know-love-and-express/) [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) ## 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 Bad music quotes > [In a way, to have whatever people talk about as "crossover success," I think it means you start making bad music. I mean, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/in-a-way-to-have-whatever-people-talk-about-as-crossover-success-i/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [If one plays good music, people don't listen and if one plays bad music people don't talk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/if-one-plays-good-music-people-don-t-listen-and-if-one-plays-bad/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“There's work to do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alien-ant-farm/there-s-work-to-do/) [Alien Ant Farm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alien-ant-farm/) > [You know what, the drummer is my manager. He's busy. And I'm busy. I don't need the dough, though. But having said that, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-mann/you-know-what-the-drummer-is-my-manager-he-s-busy-and-i-m-busy-i-don/) [Aimee Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-mann/) > [I like to make films, but the only reason I do is because I'm a very bad musician.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-like-to-make-films-but-the-only-reason-i-do-is-because-i-m-a-very/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [Pop music is a difficult term to define. I think about good music and bad music. Good music is good music whatever origin it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-persson/pop-music-is-a-difficult-term-to-define-i-think-about-good-music-and/) [Nina Persson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-persson/) > [Music is neither old nor modern: it is either good or bad music, and the date at which it was written has no significance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-warlock/music-is-neither-old-nor-modern-it-is-either-good-or-bad-music-and/) [Peter Warlock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-warlock/) > [Bad music disturbs me, but wonderful music disturbs me even more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arturo-benedetti-michelangeli/bad-music-disturbs-me-but-wonderful-music-disturbs-me-even-more/) [Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arturo-benedetti-michelangeli/) > [“Dear Daniel, How do you break up with your boyfriend in a way that tells him, "I don't want to sleep with you on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-handler/dear-daniel-how-do-you-break-up-with-your-boyfriend-in-a-way-that/) [Daniel Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-handler/) > [“I am not a music snob. If anything, my musical taste is bad by any critical standards. My favorite song of all time is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ian-black/i-am-not-a-music-snob-if-anything-my-musical-taste-is-bad-by-any/) [Michael Ian Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ian-black/) > [A good composer is slowly discovered and a bad composer is slowly found out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-newman/a-good-composer-is-slowly-discovered-and-a-bad-composer-is-slowly/) [Ernest Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-newman/) > [Life is too short to listen to bad music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/itmse867/life-is-too-short-to-listen-to-bad-music/) [Itmse867](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/itmse867/) > [I've always believed in good music over bad music. I believe in two sorts of musics. And the lines that separate us, I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/i-ve-always-believed-in-good-music-over-bad-music-i-believe-in-two/) [Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/) > [My friends and I have often discussed the plausibility of a connection between qualitatively bad music and quantifiably successful music, often citing the example…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oneohtrix-point-never/my-friends-and-i-have-often-discussed-the-plausibility-of-a/) [Oneohtrix Point Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oneohtrix-point-never/) > [If a man tells me he likes Mozart, I know in advance that he is a bad musician.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-delius/if-a-man-tells-me-he-likes-mozart-i-know-in-advance-that-he-is-a-bad/) [Frederick Delius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-delius/) [Browse all 76 Bad music quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-music/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“You never speak about yourself without loss. 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