Essays

Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592) was a French writer and philosopher of the 16th century. He was one of the most prominent representatives of the humanist movement in philosophy during the Renaissance. Montaigne was a wise and erudite man, which allowed him to engage in writing. The collection of literary-philosophical essays "Essays" became his main work, which the philosopher worked on for 10 years. Written in a lively and free form, the "Essays" feature Montaigne, acting as a keen observer, examining governance, relationships among people, and control over one’s own will. The titles of the chapters accurately reflect their content: "On Friendship," "On Fear," "On Drunkenness," "On Repentance," "On Glory," etc. The "Essays" is a book that was quoted by Shakespeare, fervently debated by Pascal and Descartes, and admired by Voltaire.