Montaigne by James Russell Lowell

The text we have is the epigraph Lowell selected for his poem "Montaigne" — it serves as the thesis statement for the poem. Lowell employs this German quotation to set the stage for his tribute: the notion that plain language holds equal value to Latin is the central theme that the poem explores. In certain editions, the complete poem is included afterward, but the epigraph on its own conveys a complete intellectual idea.

Michel de Montaigne was a 16th-century French writer credited with creating the personal essay. He candidly explored his thoughts, fears, and experiences in French instead of Latin, which was the norm for serious thinkers of his time. Lowell respected Montaigne for demonstrating that genuine, reflective writing in plain language could be just as impactful as the works of classical authors.

It translates roughly to: "Our language is a language too and can just as easily name a sack as the Latins do with saccus." This serves as a defense of the vernacular, asserting that your native tongue can express any idea, regardless of its seriousness.

The German quote reflects a Renaissance tradition that defended vernacular languages against the dominance of Latin, a debate that was alive in Montaigne's time across Europe. By incorporating it, Lowell links Montaigne's French essays to a larger movement of writers throughout Europe who were asserting that their own languages could serve as valid mediums for serious ideas. The exact language of the quote is less important than the argument it presents.

The central themes are art and identity. Lowell explores what makes writing feel authentic — his answer centers on being honest in one's own voice rather than relying on borrowed authority. There's also an element of memory, as the poem serves as a literary remembrance, helping to keep Montaigne's spirit alive.

Absolutely. The discussion around "high" academic language versus plain speech is still very much relevant — it comes up in debates about who qualifies as an intellectual, which writings are considered literature, and whether everyday experiences deserve attention in serious writing. Lowell and Montaigne are both early contributors to that ongoing conversation.

It's a quietly self-aware choice. Lowell was a Harvard professor who could have easily opted for a more ornate, classical style — yet he consistently advocated for accessible and honest American writing. By praising Montaigne, he also affirms his own beliefs: a writer's role is to think clearly and communicate simply, rather than to show off their knowledge.

Lowell wrote criticism, satire, and lyric poetry, and a common theme throughout his work is the question of authenticity — what distinguishes American writing as truly American instead of just imitating European influences. "Montaigne" reflects this idea: it's Lowell looking to a European predecessor who embodied the honest, everyday, self-reflective style that Lowell envisioned for American literature.