“Author: A fool who, not content with having bored those who have lived with him, insists on tormenting generations to come.”
- January 18, 1689 – February 10, 1755
- French
- Political Philosopher, Jurist, Author of The Spirit of the Laws
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Quote
“Author: A fool who, not content with having bored those who have lived with him, insists on tormenting generations to come.”
Explanation
Montesquieu offers a sharp and humorous definition of an author, mocking the self-importance and ambition often associated with writing. He portrays the author not as a revered figure, but as someone so oblivious to his own dullness that he seeks to impose it on future readers, long after he has already wearied those around him. This remark is laced with irony, inviting both laughter and introspection about the true purpose and impact of writing.
This sardonic view aligns with Montesquieu’s Enlightenment temperament—skeptical, witty, and unafraid to criticize pretension. Though he was a highly influential writer himself, he was also aware that not all who write do so with value or clarity, and that the pursuit of literary immortality can often stem more from ego than from a desire to serve truth or understanding. His jab is a reminder that endurance on the page does not guarantee relevance or quality.
In the modern era of abundant publishing and digital permanence, this quote remains strikingly relevant. It challenges authors to reflect on whether their work genuinely enriches others or merely extends personal vanity across time. Montesquieu’s humor delivers a timeless truth: lasting influence in writing must be earned by substance, not simply by survival.
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