Repentance Revisited

In Of Repentance, Montaigne advises us to be our own moral compass. “To ground the recompense of virtuous actions upon the approbation of others is to take too uncertain and shaky a foundation. Especially in so corrupt and ignorant an age as this, the good opinion of the people is no commendation….” We are told that this advice is especially relevant to those who lead a private life, where our conduct won’t necessarily be viewed closely by others. “Do not hold fast, therefore, to their judgment, hold fast to yours.”

As always, more questions than answers here. First off, is this just another articulation of the precept that man is the measure of all things? And if so, if we are to serve as our own moral compasses, how do we find our way? How do we know if we are, in fact, traveling in the right direction? And what keeps each of us from determining virtue in relation to what is best for each of us, at any given moment? Is there, in fact, any absolute right and wrong? Or are we each left to find our own version of virtue?

Second, why is this more important for those who live a private life? Shouldn’t we be more concerned about the moral guidance of those immersed in public life, so as to insure that they are not merely responding to popular opinion, to the fashion of the day? Arguably, those who lead public lives are more susceptible to the whim of the public, more vulnerable to being swayed by mob rule? Montaigne, having retreated from public life, and wealthy enough not to worry about the need to make a living, can very easily ignore the wishes of the public. Not so for most people.

Aside from all this, Of Repentance makes one wonder whether Montaigne is really just the product of his times. Does he appeal to us today because the twenty-first century resembles closely the sixteenth century, in which Montaigne lived – full of chaos, corruption and bloodshed. Or has the master articulated universal principles, good to guide us through all the ages?