This Montaigne essay is far more interesting for what is left unsaid. As noted in essay 13 this cycle, Montaigne approaches death from the position of equality, that death is the great leveler, the aspect of life that leaves us all the same at the end. Religions vigorously dispute this notion, and therefore Montaigne must tread lightly on his point.

Something similar is happening here as Montaigne explores the matter of equality in life. The power structure of his age — and for all ages for that matter — demands a fealty to inequality. Certain people rise to roles of prominence and power and we have to deal with them in some way. The text of this essay argues for a natural superiority of some and a duty of others to follow and support.

But by now we also know that Montaigne and La Boetie first bonded over the latter’s childhood mega-essay, The Treatise of Involuntary Servitude, that argued human beings readily surrender their freedom, and basically the bulk of their lives, to those who claim power for reasons far beyond their natural capability. If the “rabble” were to rise up and challenge this power … well, we’d get the French Revolution, so the Treatise is largely a sneak preview of French though.

Montaigne lets that concept sneak out in spots here, using the word “slavery” to describe this default human behavior. He wouldn’t dare take it any farther. But writing now from the vantage point of the republican age, where we are no longer in dedicated service to a king, it strikes me how people continue to bow down in reverence to the supposed superiors of our culture.

You can even put politics aside for this examination, because our cultural hierarchies are built by more than political roles. We readily assume that certain people are entitled to greater cultural privilege based how much money they have, levels of education attained, their level of fame, how quickly they can express an opinion (no matter how cogent that opinion might be) and so much more.

This is especially pernicious among men, many of whom buy into this absurd concept of the “Alpha Male,” misapplying an understanding of canine behavior that is likely inaccurate, and leading many of the most absurd clowns I’ve ever met to declare themselves alpha merely because they never stop talking and always insist on getting their way with everything.

It’s true that some people have extraordinary gifts, physical, mental, artistic, spiritual, the list is endless. It’s also likely true that we are equipped to focus on the elements of ourselves where we perform best. There’s nothing particularly wrong with that. In fact, I think a hierarchy based on specialization is a reasonable way to organize a society, much like a band assigns different roles and calls on members to excel in their chosen role.

But ultimately, every person needs to create their own criteria for success and judge themselves against it, ignoring the cultural signposts as best possible. I admit to taking this to a radical degree. I refuse to compete with others as much as possible. I don’t judge my physical fitness against anyone else in my gym, I judge it on my own capabilities. I haven’t a clue if there’s a best speechwriter in the world I should be hoping to topple or another amateur Montaigne scholar out there I should be surpassing.

In my own oddball way, I feel like I’m a superior person, but it’s a measurement I would not apply to anyone else and do not wish anyone to follow it and try to compete with me. I also recognize that having such idiosyncrasies could easily veer towards eccentricity, so I do not supplement my personal yardsticks with odd styles of dress or bizarre hairstyles.

Not having to prove my individuality with outward appearances allows me to both blend in when needed to maintain peace and stand out with a self confidence not needing external recognition to feel valued.

I believe that Montaigne has helped me in this journey and his essays chart this path, slowly and cautiously. He’s not there yet in this one. You have to read between the lines to notice his discomfort and to understand why withdrawal was his chosen path from the endless competition and comparisons in the world of men.