Michel de Montaigne once wrote, “A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears.” This is a classic example of chiasmus, or a reversal of clauses that together make a larger point. This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Chiasmus”
I came across a quotation from Montaigne recently that I liked.
It goes, a man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears.
Very good.
Isn’t that great for this day and age when there’s so much fear around?
And it’s a great example of chiasmus, right?
That rhetorical structure where you invert a statement.
And it comes from the Greek letter chi, which is shaped like an X.
Two bars crossing, a path, a crossroads.
Yeah, but I like that.
A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears.
Very good.
So don’t worry.
Be happy.
Happy.
