In assessing cultural influences, I find it more conclusive to look at philosophical values than at anecdotes and artifices of style. Thinkers leave behind ethical systems to live by, and the very best of those thinkers build intellectual systems to support their values. Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) belongs to the group that left behind ethical…

Learning to fish is more valuable than getting a free meal, because the former can feed us for a lifetime. Methods are far more valuable than objects, because objects are finite. Methods are not limited in time. We can simply employ them to arrive at our goals once and again. The essays by Michel de…

The essay titled “Of the Useful and the Honourable” offers a compelling illustration of the literary legacy left by Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592). The essay begins without a clear goal, but quickly adopts a determinedly ethical position, and piles up evidence to support it. I view this essay as a compelling illustration of Montaigne’s work…

Three words suffice me to summarise the literary legacy of Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592): Think for yourself. In each of his essays, he calls for self-reliance, critical thinking, open-mindedness, and personal initiative. Unfortunately, historians have given excessive weight to the stylistic aspects of Montaigne’s work, and overlooked his ideas and attitude. Indeed, Montaigne invented the…

Naive individuals can prove ineffective because of their inability to grasp other people’s motivation. They fail to take notice of discrepancies, overlook danger signals, and do nothing to cover their downside. When they finally wake up, it may prove too late to rectify the errors. Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) embodies the opposite of naivety because…

In his essays, Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) pursued a single goal. He just wanted to figure out how to live each day in the best possible manner. The question underlying his works is always the same: What should I do now? Montaigne’s literary output becomes easily comprehensible if we keep in mind its purpose. Otherwise,…

It is easier to understand someone’s actions if we know his motivation. The same applies to understanding his philosophy and literary style, especially when it incorporates innovations, controversy, or unorthodox features. Historians have written extensively about the literary style of Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592), but their conclusions are rather unconnected and disorganized. Literary critics point…

Why should we study Montaigne’s literary techniques? What benefits can we draw from his contributions? I see two crucial reasons for studying the literary techniques and contributions from Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592). In the first instance, they can enable us to think faster in the face of challenges. Secondly, they can help us make better…

The literary style of Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) teaches us key lessons in the field of self-improvement. I mean lessons of universal validity that anyone can put into practice right now. Literary critics have analysed Montaigne’s works from the standpoint of tone, subjects, and structure. I am however going to concentrate on Montaigne’s philosophical style…