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We must reserve a back shop all our own entirely free, in which to establish our real liberty and our principal retreat and solitude.
Michel De Montaigne
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the importance of having a personal space for freedom and introspection.

Montaigne suggests that everyone needs a private sanctuary where they can reflect and cultivate their true sense of liberty. This 'back shop' serves as a retreat from the chaos of life, allowing for personal growth and authentic self-expression, underscoring the necessity of solitude for deep thought and freedom.

Themes

SolitudeLibertyFreedomIntrospectionPersonal Space

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about the importance of mental health, one might say, 'As Montaigne noted, we must reserve a back shop all our own to reflect on our true liberty.'

More from Michel De Montaigne

All the world knows me in my book, and my book in me.
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All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.
Michel De MontaigneRead
Pythagoras used to say that life resembles the Olympic Games: a few people strain their muscles to carry off a prize; others bring trinkets to sell to the crowd for gain; and some there are, and not the worst, who seek no other profit than to look at the show and see how and why everything is done; spectators of the life of other people in order to judge and regulate their own.
Michel De MontaigneRead
There is not much less vexation in the government of a private family than in the managing of an entire state.
Michel De MontaigneRead
Those who have compared our life to a dream were right... we were sleeping wake, and waking sleep.
Michel De MontaigneRead
Such as are in immediate fear of a losing their estates, of banishment, or of slavery, live in perpetual anguish, and lose all appetite and repose; whereas such as are actually poor, slaves, or exiles, ofttimes live as merrily as other folk.
Michel De MontaigneRead

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