"Sur le plus haut trône du monde, on ne s'assoit encore que sur son propre derrière"

We might think that reaching the top will somehow transform us, but that's not really the case. Even if you become the most powerful person alive, you're still just you. This idea is all about staying grounded and remembering that, no matter what titles or positions you achieve, your fundamental humanity doesn’t change.

This quote comes from Michel de Montaigne, a French philosopher from the Renaissance period. Montaigne was all about reflecting on human nature and our experiences. He wrote a lot about how we should live our lives with humility and self-awareness. He was basically saying, "Hey, remember to keep things in perspective. No matter how high you climb, you're still the same person underneath."

Let's talk about a real-life example. Imagine a CEO of a huge corporation. She worked her way up from an entry-level position, and now she's at the top. Despite her success, she still values her lunch breaks, often eating the same simple sandwich she had when she first started. She treats everyone in the office with respect, from the janitor to the board members. People love working for her because she hasn't let her position go to her head. She remembers her roots and stays humble, proving that regardless of her high status, she's still that same person who started at the bottom.

So, how can we apply this in our own lives? It's about staying grounded and remembering our beginnings. If you get a promotion, celebrate it, but don't let it change the way you treat others. Keep in touch with what made you who you are. Stay humble, and never forget the common experiences that connect us all.

Here’s a scenario to drive it home. Imagine you've just won a big award at work. Everyone’s congratulating you, and you’re on cloud nine. But then you remember a piece of advice from an old mentor: "Always remember where you came from." So, you take your team out for coffee, thanking them for their support and hard work. You share stories about your early days at the company, and everyone laughs together, feeling more connected. This simple act of humility and gratitude helps you stay grounded and reminds everyone that, at the end of the day, we're all just people doing our best.

Think about it—how often do we let our achievements define us? But when you strip away the titles, the accolades, and the external validations, what’s left? Just you, sitting on your own bottom, the same as always. It’s a humbling thought, but also empowering. It means you don’t have to change who you are to fit some lofty position. You’ve got everything you need to be genuine and kind, no matter where you are.

So, next time you’re feeling a bit too big for your boots, remember Montaigne’s wisdom. We’re all just human, sharing this journey together. Keep that in mind, and you’ll find it easier to stay true to yourself, no matter how high you climb.