The quote, “We need to interpret interpretations more than to interpret things,” suggests that understanding others’ perspectives and biases is often more important than understanding the object or event itself.
In essence, Montaigne is saying that our perception of reality isn’t solely based on the actual events or objects we encounter, but rather on how we interpret them. These interpretations are influenced by our personal experiences, cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and other factors. Therefore, to truly understand a situation or an object, it’s necessary not just to look at it from our own viewpoint but also consider how others might perceive it.
For example, if two people look at a painting – one being an art critic with years of experience in analyzing art and the other being someone with no background in art whatsoever – their interpretations of what they see will be vastly different. The critic may see symbolism and techniques used by the artist while the layperson may simply see colors and shapes. In this case, interpreting their interpretations gives us a fuller understanding of how different perspectives shape reality.
Applying this idea in today’s world can be seen in many areas such as politics where we often need to decipher not just what is being said (the thing), but why it’s being said (the interpretation). It helps us avoid taking everything at face value without considering underlying motivations or biases.
In terms of personal development too this idea holds great value. By learning to interpret others’ interpretations rather than just things themselves – you become more empathetic as you understand where they’re coming from; you improve your communication skills as you learn to convey your thoughts better; and most importantly you become more open-minded since you’re constantly challenging your own perceptions against those of others.
