More Quotes from Montaigne and Nietzsche

More Quotes from Montaigne and Nietzsche

The appeal of these authors for those readers attempting an understanding of historical, and contemporary business practices globally may not be apparent immediately. However, the root benefits of engaging competitive advantages are based in not only a willingness to learn new frames of thought, new perspectives, but to fully engage the opportunities for complete cross-functionality in areas which are often compartmentally separated not only in the realms of learning but in general understanding of even a shallow reading of philosophy. Really, these writers easily establish that the root causes for success or failure of an individual to achieve particular goals or successes are directly related to internal processes, thoughts and cognitive constructions. The same could be said for the successes or failures of regional, or multinational business models and strategies. Which makes these writers worth reading, especially when one is planning to engage new theories or new ideas.

To which both authors have addressed that there is largely little of great newness in human experience over the ages. Montaigne makes noteworthy application of the literatures of the ancient Greeks and Romans and Nietzsche issues in his more infrequent reflections upon writers like Montaigne that novelty, "newness", and uniqueness in the ways of mankind are allusions to the blistering sameness of the challenges, strengths, and weaknesses of modern man relative to those of the ancient world.

Both seem to suggest it is only in one's own sense of self and mind where one may organize and reorder awareness and register progressive change of thought. But it often appears the efforts of global business have all been about ordering the internal intrinsics of human nature to serve their own corporate ends. This colours even the very arguments made by globally proclaimed experts on such topics. Research plainly can be manipulated easily to match the desired outcomes of those who pay for it.

Which gets to the purpose of writing and reading. Montaigne had something to say to humanity, something which has carried its relevancy down through five hundred years of tumultuous political, social, and technological changes. But in the end, he is still reflecting on a mankind which can recognize itself in his "Essays". Nietzsche himself was a writer combatant seemingly seeking to drive nails through any commonly held sense of settled complacency. While I have to admit Montaigne has more to say that is directly appealing, Nietzsche too has some interesting comments to make on human experience. As for relevancy, perhaps there are a few business people in the world who know that the key to business success is not perhaps in finding the best market niche, the best product or service. the keys to global business success may be in well leading new competitive perspectives which are often overlooked in the herd's great rush. Montaigne and Nietzsche are all about the encouraging sense of self available to individuals who break from the race and engage this great engine called the human mind in contemplation of decisions, options, choices, and possibilities.

"And indeed when insults strike to the quick, they can easily make a man who is only sluggishly pursuing his king's quarrel, enter with a different spirit into what has become his own." (Montaigne, Book One: Chapter 47, On The Uncertainty of Our Judgement, 1595)

"In this study of history one must run through all sorts of authors, both old and new, in French and in gibberish, without distinction, to learn from them the various things they teach." (Montaigne, Book Two: Chapter 10, On Books, 1595)

"It is unfortunate that wisdom forbids you to be self-satisfied and trust in yourself, and always sends you away discontented and diffident, whereas and opinionated boldness fills its possessor with joy and assurance." (Montaigne, Book Three: Chapter 8, On The Art of Conversation, 1595)

"When one trains one's conscience, it kisses one while it bites."

"When we have to change an opinion about any one, we charge heavily to his account the inconvenience he therby causes us."

"Pity has an almost ludicrous effect on a man of knowledge, like tender hands on a Cyclops." (Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil, Apothegms and Interludes, 1886)

What I read of these authors easily defies my ability to compare them which is not easily said of most business texts. However both have much to say about business. Fortunately few appear to be researching historical business patterns in such a manner to often suggest new ones thus based through such precedences.