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About this quote

What does it mean?
Montaigne suggests that refusing to seek growth or challenge oneself leads to greater intellectual stagnation.
In plain terms
If you do not try to learn or change, you will become more foolish.
What can you take from it?
Avoid stagnation by staying open to change.

Where it applies

  • learning new skills
  • challenging beliefs

Putting it to work

  • take a class
  • read outside your field

Questions to consider

  • When did you last challenge your own views?
  • Is comfort worth the cost of stagnation?

Another view

Sometimes rest is more important than constant growth.

More from Michel de Montaigne

  1. There is no man so good that if he placed all his actions and thoughts under the scrutiny of the laws, he would not deserve hanging ten times in his life.

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  2. I have seen no more evident monstrosity and miracle in the world than myself.

    Permalink to quote #46
  3. Not because Socrates said so, but because it is in truth my own disposition - and perchance to some excess - I look upon all men as my compatriots, and embrace…

    Permalink to quote #43

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