Essays (Montaigne)  

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==Analysis== ==Analysis==
[[The Consolations of Philosophy]], consolation for [[inadequacy]] [[The Consolations of Philosophy]], consolation for [[inadequacy]]
 +==TOC==
 +http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Essays_of_Montaigne
 +
 +{{TextQuality|25%}}{{header
 + | title = The Essays of Montaigne
 + | author = Michel de Montaigne
 + | translator = Charles Cotton
 + | section =
 + | previous =
 + | next =
 + | notes = First published in 1686. From the edition published in 1877 by William Carew Hazilitt.
 +}}
 +
 +=== TOC ===
 +
 +* [[/Preface|Preface]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +* [[/The Life of Montaigne|The Life of Montaigne]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +* [[/The Letters of Montaigne|The Letters of Montaigne]]
 +
 +* [[/Book I|Book I]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/The Author to the Reader|The Author to the Reader]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter I|Chapter I. That men by various ways arrive at the same end.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter II|Chapter II. Of Sorrow.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter III|Chapter III. That our affections carry themselves beyond us.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter IV|Chapter IV. That the soul discharges her passions upon false objects, where the true are wanting.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter V|Chapter V. Whether the governor of a place besieged ought himself to go out to parley.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter VI|Chapter VI. That the hour of parley is dangerous.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter VII|Chapter VII. That the intention is judge of our actions.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter VIII|Chapter VIII. Of idleness.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter IX|Chapter IX. Of liars.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter X|Chapter X. Of quick or slow speech.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XI|Chapter XI. Of prognostications.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XII|Chapter XII. Of constancy.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XIII|Chapter XIII. The ceremony of the interview of princes.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XIV|Chapter XIV. That men are justly punished for being obstinate in the defence of a fort that is not in reason to be defended.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XV|Chapter XV. Of the punishment of cowardice.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XVI|Chapter XVI. A proceeding of some ambassadors.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XVII|Chapter XVII. Of fear.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XVIII|Chapter XVIII. That men are not to judge of our happiness till after death.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XIX|Chapter XIX. That to study philosophy is to learn to die.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XX|Chapter XX. Of the force of imagination.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXI|Chapter XXI. That the profit of one man is the damage of another.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXII|Chapter XXII. Of custom, and that we should not easily change a law received.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXIII|Chapter XXIII. Various events from the same counsel.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXIV|Chapter XXIV. Of pedantry.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXV|Chapter XXV. Of the education of children.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXVI|Chapter XXVI. That it is folly to measure truth and error by our own capacity.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXVII|Chapter XXVII. Of friendship.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXVIII|Chapter XXVIII. Nine-and-twenty sonnets of Estienne de la Boetie.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXIX|Chapter XXIX. Of moderation.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXX|Chapter XXX. Of cannibals.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXXI|Chapter XXXI. That a man is soberly to judge of the divine ordinances.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXXII|Chapter XXXII. That we are to avoid pleasures, even at the expense of life.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXXIII|Chapter XXXIII. That fortune is oftentimes observed to act by the rule of reason.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXXIV|Chapter XXXIV. Of one defect in our government.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXXV|Chapter XXXV. Of the custom of wearing clothes.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXXVI|Chapter XXXVI. Of Cato the Younger.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXXVII|Chapter XXXVII. That we laugh and cry for the same thing.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXXVIII|Chapter XXXVIII. Of solitude.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XXXIX|Chapter XXXIX. A consideration upon Cicero.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XL|Chapter XL. That the relish of good and evil depends in a great measure upon the opinion we have of them.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XLI|Chapter XLI. Not to communicate a man's honour.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XLII|Chapter XLII. Of the inequality amongst us.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XLIII|Chapter XLIII. Of sumptuary laws.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XLIV|Chapter XLIV. Of sleep.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XLV|Chapter XLV. Of the battle of Dreux.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XLVI|Chapter XLVI. Of names.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XLVII|Chapter XLVII. Of the uncertainty of our judgment.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XLVIII|Chapter XLVIII. Of war-horses, or destriers.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter XLIX|Chapter XLIX. Of ancient customs.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter L|Chapter L. Of Democritus and Heraclitus.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter LI|Chapter LI. Of the vanity of words.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter LII|Chapter LII. Of the parsimony of the Ancients.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter LIII|Chapter LIII. Of a saying of Caesar.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter LIV|Chapter LIV. Of vain subtleties.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter LV|Chapter LV. Of smells.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter LVI|Chapter LVI. Of prayers.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book I/Chapter LVII|Chapter LVII. Of age.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +
 +* [[/Book II|Book II]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter I|Chapter I. Of the inconstancy of our actions.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter II|Chapter II. Of drunkenness.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter III|Chapter III. A custom of the Isle of Cea.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter IV|Chapter IV. To-morrow's a new day.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter V|Chapter V. Of conscience.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter VI|Chapter VI. Use makes perfect.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter VII|Chapter VII. Of recompenses of honour.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter VIII|Chapter VIII. Of the affection of fathers to their children.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter IX|Chapter IX. Of the arms of the Parthians.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter X|Chapter X. Of books.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XI|Chapter XI. Of cruelty.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XII|Chapter XII. The Apology of Raymond Sebond.]] [[Image:75%.svg]] <ref><small>Translator John Florio</small></ref>
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XIII|Chapter XIII. Of judging of the death of another.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XIV|Chapter XIV. That the mind hinders itself.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XV|Chapter XV. That our desires are augmented by difficulty.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XVI|Chapter XVI. Of glory.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XVII|Chapter XVII. Of presumption.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XVIII|Chapter XVIII. Of giving the lie.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XIX|Chapter XIX. Of liberty of conscience.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XX|Chapter XX. That we taste nothing pure.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XXI|Chapter XXI. Against idleness.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XXII|Chapter XXII. Of Posting.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XXIII|Chapter XXIII. Of ill means employed to a good end.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XXIV|Chapter XXIV. Of the Roman grandeur.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XXV|Chapter XXV. Not to counterfeit being sick.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XXVI|Chapter XXVI. Of thumbs.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XXVII|Chapter XXVII. Cowardice the mother of cruelty.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XXVIII|Chapter XXVIII. All things have their season.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XXIX|Chapter XXIX. Of virtue.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XXX|Chapter XXX. Of a monstrous child.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XXXI|Chapter XXXI. Of anger.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XXXII|Chapter XXXII. Defence of Seneca and Plutarch.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XXXIII|Chapter XXXIII. The story of Spurina.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XXXIV|Chapter XXXIV. Means to carry on a war according to Julius Caesar.]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XXXV|Chapter XXXV. Of three good women.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XXXVI|Chapter XXXVI. Of the most excellent men.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +** [[/Book II/Chapter XXXVII|Chapter XXXVII. Of the resemblance of children to their fathers.]] [[Image:75%.svg]]
 +
 +* [[/Book III|Book III]]
 +** [[/Book III/Chapter I|Chapter I. Of Profit and Honesty.]]
 +** [[/Book III/Chapter II|Chapter II. Of Repentance.]]
 +** [[/Book III/Chapter III|Chapter III. Of Three Commerces.]]
 +** [[/Book III/Chapter IV|Chapter IV. Of Diversion.]]
 +** [[/Book III/Chapter V|Chapter V. Upon Some verses of Virgil.]]
 +** [[/Book III/Chapter VI|Chapter VI. Of Coaches.]]
 +** [[/Book III/Chapter VII|Chapter VII. Of the Inconvenience of Greatness.]]
 +** [[/Book III/Chapter VIII|Chapter VIII. Of the Art of Conference.]]
 +** [[/Book III/Chapter IX|Chapter IX. Of Vanity.]]
 +** [[/Book III/Chapter X|Chapter X. Of Managing the Will.]]
 +** [[/Book III/Chapter XI|Chapter XI. Of Cripples.]]
 +** [[/Book III/Chapter XII|Chapter XII. Of Physiognomy.]]
 +** [[/Book III/Chapter XIII|Chapter XIII. Of Experience.]]
-== External links == 
-*http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Essays_of_Montaigne 
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Essays is the title of a book written by Michel de Montaigne that was first published in 1580. Montaigne essentially invented the literary form of essay, a short subjective treatment of a given topic, of which the book contains a large number. Essai is French for "trial" or "attempt".

Contents

Style

Montaigne wrote in a kind of crafted rhetoric designed to intrigue and involve the reader, sometimes appearing to move in a stream-of-thought from topic to topic and at other times employing a structured style which gives more emphasis to the didactic nature of his work. His arguments are often supported with quotes from classical Greek and Roman texts.

Content

Montaigne's stated goal in his book is to describe man, and especially himself, with utter frankness, for example including large sections on bodily functions. He finds the great variety and volatility of human nature to be its most basic features. A typical quote is "I have never seen a greater monster or miracle than myself." He describes his own poor memory, his ability to solve problems and mediate conflicts without truly getting emotionally involved, his disgust for man's pursuit of lasting fame, and his attempts to detach himself from worldly things to prepare for death.

Montaigne is disgusted with the violent and, in his opinion, barbaric conflicts between Catholics and Protestants of his time, and his writings show a pessimism and skepticism quite uncharacteristic for the Renaissance.

Overall, Montaigne was a strong supporter of humanism. He believed in God but declined to speculate about His nature.

He exhibited a quite modern cultural relativism, recognizing that laws, morals and religions of the various cultures, while often quite different, may all be equally valid. He opposed the conquest of the New World, deploring the suffering it brought upon the natives.

Citing the case of Martin Guerre as an example, he believes that humans cannot attain certainty, and he rejects general and absolute statements and all dogma. His skepticism is best expressed in the long essay "An Apology for Raymond Sebond" (Book 2, Chapter 12) which has frequently been published separately. We cannot trust our reasoning because thoughts just occur to us: we don't truly control them. We do not have good reasons to consider ourselves superior to the animals. He is highly skeptical of confessions obtained under torture, pointing out that such confessions can be made up by the suspect just to escape the torture he is subjected to (the first known use of this argument against torture). In the middle of the section normally entitled "Man's Knowledge Cannot Make Him Good," he wrote that his motto was "What do I know?". The essay on Sebond ostensibly defended Christianity. However, Montaigne eloquently employed so many references and quotes from classical Greek and Roman, i.e. non-Christian authors, especially the atomist Lucretius, that it can be read as an argument to disregard all and any religious dogma.

Montaigne considered marriage necessary for the raising of children, but disliked the strong feelings of romantic love as being detrimental to freedom. One of his quotations is "Marriage is like a cage; one sees the birds outside desperate to get in, and those inside desperate to get out."

In education, he favored concrete examples and experience over the teaching of abstract knowledge that is expected to be accepted uncritically.

The remarkable modernity of thought apparent in Montaigne's essays, coupled with their sustained popularity, made them arguably the most prominent work in French philosophy until the Enlightenment. Their influence over French education and culture is still strong. The official portrait of former French president François Mitterrand pictured him facing the camera, holding an open copy of the Essays in his hands.

Chronology

Montaigne heavily edited Essays at various points in his life. Sometimes he would insert just one word, while at other times he would insert whole passages. Many editions mark this with letters as follows:

  • A: passages written 1571-1580, published 1580
  • B: passages written 1580-1588, published 1588
  • C: passages written 1588-1592, published 1595 (posthumously)

Analysis of the differences and additions between editions shows how Montaigne's thoughts evolved over time. Not unremarkably, he does not seem to remove previous writings, even when they conflict with his newer views.

Analysis

The Consolations of Philosophy, consolation for inadequacy

TOC

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Essays_of_Montaigne

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TOC




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