Great writing Quote by Montaigne
““My ideas and judgment proceed only gropingly, faltering, tripping, and stumbling; and when I have gone as far as I can, I am still in no degree satisfied, for I see more land beyond, but with a troubled and clouded sight, so that I cannot make it out clearly. And taking upon me to write indifferently of whatever comes into my head, and therein making use of nothing but my own natural means, if I happened, as I often do, accidentally to meet in any good author the same subjects upon which I have attempted to write (as I have just done this moment in Plutarch[...]) seeing myself so weak and miserable, so heavy and sluggish in comparison with those men, I at once pity and despise myself. Yet I am pleased with this, that my opinions have often the honor to tally with theirs, and that at least I follow the same path, though far behind them, saying, "That is so." Also that I have that faculty, which not everyone has, of knowing the vast difference between them and me. And notwithstanding all that, I let my ideas go their way, weak and lowly just as I produced them, without plastering up or mending the defects that this comparison has laid open to my own view. A man needs good strong loins to keep pace with these people.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Essays by Michel de Montaigne, 1580
Self‑critique reveals humility; recognizing limits fuels growth.
In simple terms: Know your limits and keep learning.
Embrace humility, seek improvement.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- writing
- academic study
- personal development
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance self‑critique with confidence?
- What practices help you improve continuously?
May lead to excessive self‑doubt.