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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…” quote by Montaigne
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““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.””

Montaigne

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.

Key Takeaway

Embrace humility, seek improvement.

Themes

humility self‑critique growth learning

Mood

contemplative inspirational

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

  • writing
  • academic study
  • personal development

Key Concepts

self‑awareness intellectual honesty

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance self‑critique with confidence?
  • What practices help you improve continuously?
A Different Perspective

May lead to excessive self‑doubt.

2.7 out of 5 (10 ratings)

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