This quote is a critique of eloquence that prioritizes style over substance. In other words, it criticizes the kind of communication that focuses more on how something is said rather than what is being said. According to Montaigne, true eloquence should leave us craving for its substance or content, not just the manner in which it was presented. When eloquence leaves us with a taste only for itself – the beauty of language or rhetoric – and not for its underlying message or essence, then it has failed in its purpose.
The quote implies an important distinction between means and ends. The language used (how we say things) is merely a tool to convey meaning (what we say). If people are drawn more towards the tool rather than what it’s meant to build, then they’ve missed the point.
In today’s world, this idea can be applied in various contexts such as media consumption, political discourse or even personal development. It encourages critical thinking where one doesn’t get swayed by flashy presentations but delves deeper into understanding the real content.
In media and politics, often there’s a lot of noise without much substance due to sensationalism and soundbites taking precedence over nuanced arguments. As consumers of information in such an environment, we must look beyond how attractively something is packaged and focus on understanding its core message.
Similarly in personal development too: one might come across self-help gurus who package their advice beautifully with great charisma but lack depth or practical applicability. Here again applying this principle would mean focusing on actionable insights rather than getting carried away by superficial charm.
Therefore this quote serves as a timeless reminder: Don’t let style overshadow substance; always dig deeper for meaningful content regardless of how it’s presented.
