Judgement

Montaigne is trying to make a very specific point in Of Cannibals. He is telling the reader that while we look at customs we don’t understand as barbaric, when examined closely our own customs are often more barbaric than those of other groups. He says “So we may well call these people barbarians, in respect to the rules of reason, but not in respect to ourselves, who surpass them in every kind of barbarity.” (6). This quote exemplifies what Montaigne is saying. It is only upon contemplation and understanding of our own actions that we can call others barbaric, for we cannot call others barbaric without first understanding why they are and we are not. Or this understanding will cause people to realize why their culture and customs are barbaric, but either way this understanding is imperative to the labeling of people or actions as barbaric. Montaigne says “I am not sorry that we notice the barbarous horror of such acts, but I am heartily sorry that, judging their faults rightly, we should be so blind to our own.” (6). There is barbarism to every society and culture, but when you are a part of that society it is easy to become horrified at the acts of others while ignoring the barbarism going on around you. Montaigne would like people to first realize that there are barbaric acts in every society, and they need to be recognized by the members of that society before any other society is judged. When judging others people tend to overlook their own faults and Montaigne is saying that people should judge themselves and their society before judging others.