I prefer the company of peasants because they have not been educated sufficiently to reason incorrectly

I prefer the company of peasants because they have not been educated sufficiently to reason incorrectly

Michel de Montaigne, a French philosopher and writer of the Renaissance period, is known for his skepticism and humanism. One of his most famous quotes is, “I prefer the company of peasants because they have not been educated sufficiently to reason incorrectly.” This statement reflects Montaigne’s belief in the simplicity and authenticity of the common people, as opposed to the artificiality and pretentiousness of the educated elite.

Montaigne’s preference for the company of peasants can be seen as a rejection of the intellectual arrogance and elitism that was prevalent in his time. He believed that the uneducated, simple folk were more in touch with their true selves and their natural instincts, whereas the educated elite were often caught up in their own intellectual games and theories. Montaigne saw the peasants as being more genuine and honest in their interactions, free from the biases and prejudices that often clouded the minds of the educated.