The Illusion of Originality

“I have gathered a posy of other men’s flowers, and nothing but the thread that binds them is mine own.” — Montaigne

Scrolling through Instagram, you might find yourself pausing at pictures of guys scaling mountains, coding the next big app, crafting artisan furniture, or looking sharp in a tailored suit. A knot tightens in your gut, and you wonder, “What’s left for me? They’ve got it all figured out.”

Enter Montaigne, a 16th-century philosopher who offers timeless insights into human nature. Reading his work feels like a conversation with a wiser version of yourself — someone grappling with the same questions and doubts you have.

The Art of Curation

Montaigne dispels the illusion of originality. He suggests that the real game isn’t about inventing new ideas but assembling existing ones. Life is a marketplace of ideas, and every day you collect fragments — a quote from a book, a snippet from a podcast, or a lesson from a personal failure. These fragments are your “flowers.”

But owning a basket of flowers isn’t the endgame. Most people collect these as if they’re collecting identities. The real magic lies in how you tie these flowers together. That’s your thread — your unique perspective and experience. It’s not about creation; it’s about curation.