Slim Substance

Here's one of Montaigne's many aphorisms: "Those who have a thin body fill it out with padding, those who have a slim substance swell it out with words." Rather ironic considering his long-windedness in "Of the Education of Children."

Nevertheless, I remain a fan of Montaigne. I feel that I probably don't fully grasp all that he says (sometimes his verbose style is distracting), but I have been latching on to ideas and thoughts that he presents, without necessarily being able to apply these things to the the "point" of a particular essay.

For example, I appreciate his premise that tutors should present information and ideas to their pupils, without telling them what to believe. A big part of education lies in interpreting the information you are receiving, and then applying it and rejecting or accepting it. Here's another aphorism to illustrate this: He who follows another follows nothing.

This makes sense to me. It reminds me of Augustine, who followed the Manichees for so long, and yet eventually rejected their teachings for something more "confusing," but also more personal. For Augustine, although he was a part of the already established Christain tradition, Christianity was a personal decision. And it took time for him to make that decision to follow the teachings of Christ. I think that is what makes Augustine believable - the fact that he wrestled with different teachings. He accepted, and then rejected, certain things. HIs education was ongoing, and he changed his mind as he learned more.

Is it contradictory, though, that Montaigne uses so many quotes from other "great" thinkers? Is he presenting his own ideas, or the ideas of others? These quotations add to the text, I think, but I'm not sure whether they undermine Montaigne's ideas or enhance them. I will have to think more about this...

I think my blogs have become more abrupt and inconclusive. Maybe I am understanding less as the term goes on, which would be intellectual humility in practice.... Hmmm....