“The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.”Michel de Montaigne · Eseuri · 1580 · I, 39
The greatest wealth is self-mastery, not external possessions.
Montaigne, like Gracián, places self-mastery above any external goods. To belong to yourself means not being possessed by others' opinions, ambitions, or fears. It is an art of balance: knowing yourself well enough not to lose yourself in social roles. Example: a person who refuses a promotion that would destroy their inner peace. True wealth is inner freedom.
Montaigne says that being your own means carefully choosing what you let into your mind. Just as you choose what you eat, you can choose which thoughts and worries fill your day. For example, you can refuse to listen to office gossip because you know it steals your peace. This conscious selection frees you from the chaos around you. The next step is learning how to keep this freedom when facing outside pressures.
Why it matters In a culture of consumerism and external validation, this idea brings you back to essentials. It reminds you that the only priceless possession is yourself.