Book 1, Chapter 6: That The Hour Of Parley Dangerous

Montaigne continues to wonder about what happens when the enemy offers to negotiate, and whether one can use all means necessary to win a fight. 

Not far from where I live, people were driven out. They complained of treachery because during a ‘treaty of accommodation’ (a truce-signing) they were attacked by surprise. In another age, this would have been considered foul play, but these days, warfare is changing, and we cannot have any faith in the enemy’s proposal of a truce until the treaty is signed and sealed. And even then, one can’t be completely certain. How can we trust that a man will keep his promise when we surrender? That the soldiers ‘in the heat of blood’, when given permission to enter, will not take advantage?

- A Roman general attempted and failed to capture the city of Phocaea. He was impressed by the bravery of the defending army and declared then that he would visit them as friends. He gave assurance that there would be no hostility, and brought his army with him for the visit, in a ceremonial gesture. Once within, however, he was unable to restrain his army. Out of greed and revenge they ‘trampled both his authority and all military discipline’ and ruined a big part of the city.

- Cleomenes, another emperor, believed that men could behave however they liked during war. On the third night of a seven-day truce that he had signed with the city of Argos, he attacked while all were asleep. He alleged that there had been no mention of night-time in the agreement. But the gods punished him.

Such treachery occurs again and again in time of war, so it seems that Cicero’s advice just does not apply in such times: ‘No one should prey upon another’s folly’. No, instead, perhaps they follow Ariosto, who says, ‘Victory is ever worthy of praise, whether obtained by valour or wisdom’.

The philosopher Chrysippus held a different view, a view with which I agree. He said that those who run a race should employ all the force they have in what they do, so they should run as fast as they can, but ‘it is by no means fair in them to lay any hand upon their adversary to stop him, nor to set a leg before him to throw him down.’

Yet more generous is the response Alexander gave when he was being persuaded to take advantage of the night’s darkness to attack. He said, ‘it is not for such a man as I am to steal a victory.’

I end with this quote by Quint. Curt: ‘I had rather complain of ill fortune than be ashamed of victory’

Book 1, Chapter 5: Whether The Governor Of A Place Besieged Ought Himself To Go Out To Parley

In this essay, Montaigne talks about fighting dirty, and ponders over whether deceit is legitimate when one is at war. Most importantly, he asks whether we should trust the enemy who seems to want to negotiate.

A Roman king, looking to buy time, offered the possibility of a truce to the king of Macedon. Then, taking advantage of the lull, he fortified his troops and attacked. The elder senators disapproved; they felt battles should be won through bravery, not ‘artifice, surprises, and night-encounters; neither by pretended flight’, and that war should be proclaimed, and even the time and place of battle announced. These Roman ideas are very different from the Greican or Punic ones, where a victory does not lose any glory if it is won by fraud rather than force. The Roman senators had probably not heard the words of Aeneid, when he said, ‘What matters whether by valour or by strategm we overcome the enemy’

- The Achaians hated double-dealing, and thought war should be won with ‘good faith and dignity’; Cicero, echoes this sentiment, saying, ‘Whether you or I shall rule, or what shall happen, let us determine by valour.’

- In Ternate (‘amongst those nations which we so broadly call barbarians’) there is a custom never to commence war without forewarning. Then, they declare in advance the number of men in their army, their ammunition, and their intentions. Now, this being done, if their enemies do not ‘yield and come to an agreement’, they consider it lawful to use all means necessary to conquer.

-The ancient Florentines were so careful not to gain unfair advantage that they always gave a month’s notice before an attack.

We are ‘not so scrupulous in this affair.’ The honour of the war goes to whoever wins. Lysander says, ‘Where the lion’s skin is too short, we must eke it out with a bit from that of a fox.’ Thus, we are wary of surprise attacks, and feel that the commander must be circumspect if any kinds of offers of accommodations or truces are made. Thus, the governor of a place, should not go out to negotiate in times of siege. Or if he does, he should in such a way that ‘the safety and advantage should be on his side’. An example:

- Our Count Guido, went out to negotiate, but stayed so near his fort that when disorder erupted, he found himself in the stronger position.

Sometimes, of course, there are benefits to going out to negotiate. If one knows, for example, that they are on the verge of certain defeat, it makes sense to compromise.   

I like to have trust in others, but in the situation where I were asked to negotiate, I would be hesitant, mainly because it may be construed that I have done so out of despair or a lack of courage rather than voluntarily, out of confidence and with faith in the person wishing to negotiate.

Book 1, Chapter 1: That Men By Various Means Arrive At The Same End

In this essay, Montaigne talks about two different ways in which people react when someone whom they have angered in the past now has the upper hand. 

When we have angered someone, and then we find them 'in possession of the power of revenge', we usually act all nice and meek so that the indignant person feels sorry for us.

This is an option.

There is also another - one of 'bravery, constancy, resolution' . It is sort of the opposite of the first, but sometimes has the same effect. Lets compare, and discuss the pros and cons of each one

Quickly, some stories that may interest you:
- Prince Edward was mad at some people (called the Limousins). He decided to attack. He wasn't moved at all by the crying women and children, or the people begging for mercy. but he was so impressed by three french guys that were willing to stand up to his whole army that he changed his mind and didn't attack. Another prince also did something similar.
- Emperor Conrad attacked Bavaria, and proclaimed that the women could leave without any 'violation to their honour' and they could take with them as much as they could carry, on foot. The women came out of their houses with their husbands and children on their shoulders. The emperor was well impressed.

Now, back to the matter at hand.
Personally, 'I would sooner surrender my anger to compassion than to esteem'. I'm a softy, and so if it's me you're worried about - best be submissive.
BUT
Some consider pity a weakness. They consider it 'effiminate' to be all tender and compassionate. They want to act with 'obstinate and masculine courage'.
HOWEVER
Bravery could also fail. The risks are obvious. If you're arrogant and cocky, you could well be punished.

It's hard to say. Man 'is a marvellous vain, fickle, and unstable subject, and on whom it is very hard to form any certain and uniform judgement'

Allow me to illustrate this fickle nature of man with another example
- Pompey pardoned the whole city of Mamertines because of one man, Zeno, who took everyone's blame, and offered to be punished for all. Yet, another man in the town of Latium offered the same to Sylla, but obtained nothing.

Now one last story to finish:

Alexander, who is very brave, entered Gaza. He was faced with the commander there, Betis, who was badly wounded, but remained proud, fierce, disdainful. Alexander was enraged that the man showed no humility. He killed him. Now, maybe this was because Alexander himself was so brave, that he found bravery to be natural and was unable to admire it in others. Or maybe he couldn't bear anyone but him being brave. Or maybe he was just really angry. I cannot say for sure, but the violent massacre that occurred that day was certainly pitiless.