Michel de Montaigne Selected Essays

One of France's great Renaissance thinkers, Montaigne was remarkably modern in his views. These masterly, highly readable essays reflect his thoughts on poetry, philosophy, theology, law, literature, education, and world exploration. Filled with aphorisms and anecdotes, enlivened by wordplay and a delightful folksiness, Montaigne's writings constitute a celebration of literacy, friendship, and joie de vivre.

French writer and thinker Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) did much to popularize the essay as a literary form. His contributions to the genre offer a engaging balance of intellectual knowledge and personal anecdote.

The Author to the Reader

Preface

Biographical Introduction

That Men by Various Ways arrive at the same End

Of Sorrow

That the Soul discharges her Passions upon False Objects, where the True are Wanting

That the Intention is Judge of Our Actions

Of Liars

Of Quick or Slow Speech

Of Constancy

Of Fear

That Men are not to judge of Our Happiness till after Death

That it is Folly to measure Truth and Error by Our Own Capacity

Of Friendship

That a Man is soberly to judge of the Divine Ordinances

Of the Custom of Wearing Clothes

That We laugh and cry for the Same Thing

Of Solitude

Of the Inequality Among Us

Of Ancient Customs

Of the Vanity of Words

Of Prayers

Of Books

Of Cruelty

Of the Inconstancy of Our Actions

Use makes Perfect

Of Glory

Of Presumption

Of Giving the Lie

Of Liberty of Conscience

Of 　Virtue

Of Anger

Of Profit and Honesty

Of Repentance

Of the Inconvenience of Greatness

Of Managing the Will