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Four Essays
Four essays from Michel de Montaigne's "The Complete Essays."
82 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 1995
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90 people want to read
About the author
Michel de Montaigne
1,554 books1,540 followersMichel Eyquem de Montaigne (1532-1592) was one of the most influential writers of the French Renaissance. Montaigne is known for popularizing the essay as a literary genre. He became famous for his effortless ability to merge serious intellectual speculation with casual anecdotes and autobiography—and his massive volume Essais (translated literally as "Attempts") contains, to this day, some of the most widely influential essays ever written. Montaigne had a direct influence on writers the world over, from William Shakespeare to René Descartes, from Ralph Waldo Emerson to Stephan Zweig, from Friedrich Nietzsche to Jean-Jacques Rousseau. He was a conservative and earnest Catholic but, as a result of his anti-dogmatic cast of mind, he is considered the father, alongside his contemporary and intimate friend Étienne de La Boétie, of the "anti-conformist" tradition in French literature.
In his own time, Montaigne was admired more as a statesman then as an author. The tendency in his essays to digress into anecdotes and personal ruminations was seen as detrimental to proper style rather than as an innovation, and his declaration that, "I am myself the matter of my book", was viewed by his contemporaries as self-indulgent. In time, however, Montaigne would be recognized as embodying, perhaps better than any other author of his time, the spirit of freely entertaining doubt which began to emerge at that time. He is most famously known for his skeptical remark, "Que sais-je?" ("What do I know?").
Remarkably modern even to readers today, Montaigne's attempt to examine the world through the lens of the only thing he can depend on implicitly—his own judgment—makes him more accessible to modern readers than any other author of the Renaissance. Much of modern literary nonfiction has found inspiration in Montaigne, and writers of all kinds continue to read him for his masterful balance of intellectual knowledge and personal storytelling.
In his own time, Montaigne was admired more as a statesman then as an author. The tendency in his essays to digress into anecdotes and personal ruminations was seen as detrimental to proper style rather than as an innovation, and his declaration that, "I am myself the matter of my book", was viewed by his contemporaries as self-indulgent. In time, however, Montaigne would be recognized as embodying, perhaps better than any other author of his time, the spirit of freely entertaining doubt which began to emerge at that time. He is most famously known for his skeptical remark, "Que sais-je?" ("What do I know?").
Remarkably modern even to readers today, Montaigne's attempt to examine the world through the lens of the only thing he can depend on implicitly—his own judgment—makes him more accessible to modern readers than any other author of the Renaissance. Much of modern literary nonfiction has found inspiration in Montaigne, and writers of all kinds continue to read him for his masterful balance of intellectual knowledge and personal storytelling.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 25, 2025
Another of my dad’s stash of Penguin 1960’s short works. This has four essays by Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) the great essayist. To be fair I was glad not to have to read the longer versions…Preferred the one on conversation. Everyone should read methinks.
On the Cannibals
Bravery does not consist in firm arms and legs but in firm minds and souls.
On Smells
When choosing where to stay, my principal concern is to avoid air which is oppressive and stinking.
On the Art of Conversation
It is impossible to argue in good faith with a fool. Not only my judgement is corrupted at the hands of so violent a master, so is my sense of right and wrong.
On Thumbs
Doctors say that our thumb is our master-finger…
On the Cannibals
Bravery does not consist in firm arms and legs but in firm minds and souls.
On Smells
When choosing where to stay, my principal concern is to avoid air which is oppressive and stinking.
On the Art of Conversation
It is impossible to argue in good faith with a fool. Not only my judgement is corrupted at the hands of so violent a master, so is my sense of right and wrong.
On Thumbs
Doctors say that our thumb is our master-finger…
June 28, 2015
Refreshing!
The four essays in this selection are: 'On the Cannibals', 'On Smells', 'On the Art of Conversation' and 'On Thumbs'.
What does this mean? For those, like myself, not conversant with Latin, a translation is given in the book. The reader might be surprised to find it familiar.
The footnotes explain that the source is Erasmus and that Erasmus links the saying to Aristotle.
If you want to get a taste of how far back such familiar things go, then this volume is not a bad place for stumbling upon many such little things, by accident as it were - accident facilitated by Montaigne's digressive style.
There are two substantial essays here, and two diverting bagatelles. The substantial ones are 'On the Cannibals', which gives quite a sympathetic and non-judgemental view of the cannibalism of the then new world (to the Europeans) of South America, and 'On the Art of Conversation', which, it seems to me, should be required reading for anyone before they are allowed to post on an internet message board.
It is interesting that Montaigne had enough roving curiosity even to write a little piece on our opposable digits.
I shall read the complete essays some day, I hope.
The four essays in this selection are: 'On the Cannibals', 'On Smells', 'On the Art of Conversation' and 'On Thumbs'.
Stercus cuique suum bene olet.
What does this mean? For those, like myself, not conversant with Latin, a translation is given in the book. The reader might be surprised to find it familiar.
Everyone's shit smells good to himself.
The footnotes explain that the source is Erasmus and that Erasmus links the saying to Aristotle.
If you want to get a taste of how far back such familiar things go, then this volume is not a bad place for stumbling upon many such little things, by accident as it were - accident facilitated by Montaigne's digressive style.
There are two substantial essays here, and two diverting bagatelles. The substantial ones are 'On the Cannibals', which gives quite a sympathetic and non-judgemental view of the cannibalism of the then new world (to the Europeans) of South America, and 'On the Art of Conversation', which, it seems to me, should be required reading for anyone before they are allowed to post on an internet message board.
It is interesting that Montaigne had enough roving curiosity even to write a little piece on our opposable digits.
I shall read the complete essays some day, I hope.
February 7, 2024
Good to know people were just as petty and humor was just as juvenile and hilarious in the 1500s as it is today. Good gift, Mom.
August 13, 2012
Lovely essays. Enjoyed the diversity. Would like to read more of his works.
"I wish everyone would write only about what he knows"
"The man who smells nice in fact stinks"
"I may serve in turn as a model to avoid"
"Condemn yourself and you are always believed: praise yourself and you never are"
"The wise have more to learn from the fools than the fools from the wise" erasmus
"While you kept silent you apeared to be a great somebody" erasmus
I like his ideas on luck.
Being surrounded with good or bad influences influences your mind greatly.
"I wish everyone would write only about what he knows"
"The man who smells nice in fact stinks"
"I may serve in turn as a model to avoid"
"Condemn yourself and you are always believed: praise yourself and you never are"
"The wise have more to learn from the fools than the fools from the wise" erasmus
"While you kept silent you apeared to be a great somebody" erasmus
I like his ideas on luck.
Being surrounded with good or bad influences influences your mind greatly.
December 3, 2023
Oh this tiny book is fun. The author writes op eds!
Only 59 when he died in 1592 (!) he writes with such erudition - and well chosen quotes - that it must have been a delight for MA Screech to translate. At least I hope so. There is something stunning about reading words from the 16th century on the topics of ‘cannibals’, ‘smells’, ‘conversation’ and ‘thumbs’ is fascinating, and can form a conversation (literally) with us in the 21st century. I will have to look out for his complete essays: it’s a delight to read someone who is honest and well informed, as well as self deprecating.
Only 59 when he died in 1592 (!) he writes with such erudition - and well chosen quotes - that it must have been a delight for MA Screech to translate. At least I hope so. There is something stunning about reading words from the 16th century on the topics of ‘cannibals’, ‘smells’, ‘conversation’ and ‘thumbs’ is fascinating, and can form a conversation (literally) with us in the 21st century. I will have to look out for his complete essays: it’s a delight to read someone who is honest and well informed, as well as self deprecating.
December 22, 2016
Four essays from this author published as a Penguin 60.
These didn't really appeal to me, and I struggled my way through the largest 'On the Art of Conversation'. The other three, were shorter and held my attention more.
Still as these are not really in my reading interest, or genre, they were readable, and well constructed essays.
Not more than 3 stars for level of interest for me unfortunately.
These didn't really appeal to me, and I struggled my way through the largest 'On the Art of Conversation'. The other three, were shorter and held my attention more.
Still as these are not really in my reading interest, or genre, they were readable, and well constructed essays.
Not more than 3 stars for level of interest for me unfortunately.
July 8, 2014
This book in the Penguin 60 series gives a small and enticing introduction to the essays by the father of the form. It is not light reading, given the author's use of his extensive knowledge of classical authors, his dense argumentation and (I'm sounding very much like a child of the twenty-first century) the length of his sentences and paragraphs. But he is rather entertaining and, especially in the first essay in this collection, 'On the Cannibals', eminently quotably. "... every man calls barbarous anything he is not accustomed to ..." is a short and sharp example. The two short pieces feel like extracts, not neatly rounded of with a final summary statement. Even so, it provides the reader with interesting insights. Work, but rewarding.
Montaigne word beskou as die vader van die essay. Hierdie groep van vier lei die leser in sy unieke skryfwerk in. Dis nie maklike leesstof nie, maar tog vermaaklik en uitdagend. Oor en oor die moeite werd.
Montaigne word beskou as die vader van die essay. Hierdie groep van vier lei die leser in sy unieke skryfwerk in. Dis nie maklike leesstof nie, maar tog vermaaklik en uitdagend. Oor en oor die moeite werd.
June 22, 2025
Four Essays by Michel de Montaigne – The Essays of Montaigne https://realinibarzoi.blogspot.com/20... are among The 100 Best Books of All Time
10 out of 10
These essays are not just an immense pleasure to read but they are also inspirational, awe inspiring, offer readers wisdom of classics – Seneca, Socrates, Plato, Plutarch, Lucretius and others – that are often quoted by the majestic author, this is the best possible guide to life, and a rather complete one at that, with 1344 pages in all
One of the best rules for good living is that we should consider the end of life, for a happy life could be assessed only after it will have finished, we must try and consider character strengths and remember that ‘the happy man or woman is a virtuoso man or woman’ and at the end of the day, we must not say I have done nothing
Michel de Montaigne refutes that, writing that ‘you lived, that is enough, a good achievement in fact’, words to that effect, it is what, or how I remember it…we need to concentrate of the Character Strengths and you find a list compiled by Martin Seligman, co-founder of Positive Psychology and author of wondrous books
In Authentic Happiness https://realini.blogspot.com/2014/07/... we find some of the virtues that we should cultivate, such as Love of Learning, curiosity, creativity, open-mindedness, perspective…in another cluster there is courage, integrity, vitality, resilience…for the next there are social intelligence, munificence, love…justice has teamwork, fairness and leadership
Transcendence includes hope, gratitude, spirituality, humor and appreciation of excellence and beauty and last but not least would be temperance, with forgiveness and pity, self-control, humility and modesty, prudence – if we nourish these traits, then we could quote Michel de Montaigne and say we have lived well
One other topic is Habits, how we get used with aspects of our lives – the author writes how his perfume stops being noticeable for him after some time – and here Aristotle offers us a splendid definition ‘we are what we regularly do, excellence is not an act, it is a habit’ and we could add to this from Tal Ben Shahar
Tal Ben Shahar is the Harvard Professor of Positive Psychology https://realini.blogspot.com/2015/03/... who said that, just like we wash our teeth two or three times per day, every single day, we must practice exercises that are necessary for the mind
Ergo, we have to create rituals, one would be to consider the strengths we have and insist on them, be generous, Tal Ben Shahar explains that being kind is ‘the most selfish thing you can do’, because it comes back, generating a virtuous spiral, you make somebody mirthful and he shows some gratitude, even if this is not the object
That will in turn increase your level of felicity and you get ever more munificent and so on…the care we have to show is so that we do not get to Hedonic Adaptation, the phenomenon through which we take the things we have for granted, thus, spending on experiences, travel is better than consumerism, for we ignore the material objects we keep accumulating
Another brilliant Harvard Professor, Daniel Gilbert, has looked at this Hedonic Adaptation in his Stumbling On Happiness https://realini.blogspot.com/2013/06/... dismantling myths of happiness – we think that we would be merry, if only we were to move to California
It could also be on a Caribbean Island, Pacific – in my case, it used to be Corfu, maybe Crete, but knowing about the Myths of Happiness, I am not so sure anymore, however, if you have a space, I can crash into there, send a note – but the result is the same, after some months of joy, new arrivals get used to the good, and then notice the bad
One ingredient that we need to add to the habits that are analyzed by Michel de Montaigne is change, as defined by Tal Ben Shahar in his Lasagna Effect explanation – he loves this dish, especially the one made by his mother, but he could not eat it all day, every day, and something similar is included in another stupendous book
The Science of Happiness: How Our Brains Make Us Happy-and What We Can Do to Get Happier by Stefan Klein https://realini.blogspot.com/2013/10/... has some overwhelming discoveries, rules to share, stories – one tells readers about some extraordinary letters, filled with euphoria
The enchanted letter writer was in…prison, this was Rosa Luxembourg, sharing her buoyancy, exhilaration, from within the walls of a jail…jumping from here to Tal Ben Shahar – who uses fragments from classic movies, Dead Poets Society, Pay It Forward, comedy stand ups, Seinfeld – there is the tale of the rabbi
One unhappy farmer comes to the rabbi for advice, because he is so gloomy, exhausted, and the rabbi asks if he has chicken and then he instructs the farmer to get them into the house, to the protest of the latter…well, the rabbi says, if you want my suggestion, you take the advice or you do not, this is what I have to offer
After a week, the poor man is told to put the horse in, then the cow, but at the end, after some weeks, when he is allowed to get the animals out, he tells the rabbi that life is a bliss now, which maybe suggests we must think of those who have it so much worse than we do, those in the wars of Ukraine, the Middle East…
10 out of 10
These essays are not just an immense pleasure to read but they are also inspirational, awe inspiring, offer readers wisdom of classics – Seneca, Socrates, Plato, Plutarch, Lucretius and others – that are often quoted by the majestic author, this is the best possible guide to life, and a rather complete one at that, with 1344 pages in all
One of the best rules for good living is that we should consider the end of life, for a happy life could be assessed only after it will have finished, we must try and consider character strengths and remember that ‘the happy man or woman is a virtuoso man or woman’ and at the end of the day, we must not say I have done nothing
Michel de Montaigne refutes that, writing that ‘you lived, that is enough, a good achievement in fact’, words to that effect, it is what, or how I remember it…we need to concentrate of the Character Strengths and you find a list compiled by Martin Seligman, co-founder of Positive Psychology and author of wondrous books
In Authentic Happiness https://realini.blogspot.com/2014/07/... we find some of the virtues that we should cultivate, such as Love of Learning, curiosity, creativity, open-mindedness, perspective…in another cluster there is courage, integrity, vitality, resilience…for the next there are social intelligence, munificence, love…justice has teamwork, fairness and leadership
Transcendence includes hope, gratitude, spirituality, humor and appreciation of excellence and beauty and last but not least would be temperance, with forgiveness and pity, self-control, humility and modesty, prudence – if we nourish these traits, then we could quote Michel de Montaigne and say we have lived well
One other topic is Habits, how we get used with aspects of our lives – the author writes how his perfume stops being noticeable for him after some time – and here Aristotle offers us a splendid definition ‘we are what we regularly do, excellence is not an act, it is a habit’ and we could add to this from Tal Ben Shahar
Tal Ben Shahar is the Harvard Professor of Positive Psychology https://realini.blogspot.com/2015/03/... who said that, just like we wash our teeth two or three times per day, every single day, we must practice exercises that are necessary for the mind
Ergo, we have to create rituals, one would be to consider the strengths we have and insist on them, be generous, Tal Ben Shahar explains that being kind is ‘the most selfish thing you can do’, because it comes back, generating a virtuous spiral, you make somebody mirthful and he shows some gratitude, even if this is not the object
That will in turn increase your level of felicity and you get ever more munificent and so on…the care we have to show is so that we do not get to Hedonic Adaptation, the phenomenon through which we take the things we have for granted, thus, spending on experiences, travel is better than consumerism, for we ignore the material objects we keep accumulating
Another brilliant Harvard Professor, Daniel Gilbert, has looked at this Hedonic Adaptation in his Stumbling On Happiness https://realini.blogspot.com/2013/06/... dismantling myths of happiness – we think that we would be merry, if only we were to move to California
It could also be on a Caribbean Island, Pacific – in my case, it used to be Corfu, maybe Crete, but knowing about the Myths of Happiness, I am not so sure anymore, however, if you have a space, I can crash into there, send a note – but the result is the same, after some months of joy, new arrivals get used to the good, and then notice the bad
One ingredient that we need to add to the habits that are analyzed by Michel de Montaigne is change, as defined by Tal Ben Shahar in his Lasagna Effect explanation – he loves this dish, especially the one made by his mother, but he could not eat it all day, every day, and something similar is included in another stupendous book
The Science of Happiness: How Our Brains Make Us Happy-and What We Can Do to Get Happier by Stefan Klein https://realini.blogspot.com/2013/10/... has some overwhelming discoveries, rules to share, stories – one tells readers about some extraordinary letters, filled with euphoria
The enchanted letter writer was in…prison, this was Rosa Luxembourg, sharing her buoyancy, exhilaration, from within the walls of a jail…jumping from here to Tal Ben Shahar – who uses fragments from classic movies, Dead Poets Society, Pay It Forward, comedy stand ups, Seinfeld – there is the tale of the rabbi
One unhappy farmer comes to the rabbi for advice, because he is so gloomy, exhausted, and the rabbi asks if he has chicken and then he instructs the farmer to get them into the house, to the protest of the latter…well, the rabbi says, if you want my suggestion, you take the advice or you do not, this is what I have to offer
After a week, the poor man is told to put the horse in, then the cow, but at the end, after some weeks, when he is allowed to get the animals out, he tells the rabbi that life is a bliss now, which maybe suggests we must think of those who have it so much worse than we do, those in the wars of Ukraine, the Middle East…
July 16, 2014
Though only a tiny book of a few essays (phrased rather more simply than other versions I have seen), I enjoyed a great number of his points and reflections. The essays interested me so much that I delved into reading more online and have made plans to pick out a book that contains more of his essays.
June 30, 2009
This lovely little book is the one which made me discover this great writer. The essays are very well selected and wonderfully translated. The whole penguin 60s collection was great, but this book is a little jewel.
July 14, 2015
I found 'the art of conversation' most interesting.
March 31, 2021
Pretty okay, and slightly flowery/pretentious in places.
The few insertions of the translator's own inferences (instead of the original) was for the most part helpful but there were times where it was defective and actually ruined the actual meaning of the sentences, in my opinion — esp. at the end of the third essay.
The few insertions of the translator's own inferences (instead of the original) was for the most part helpful but there were times where it was defective and actually ruined the actual meaning of the sentences, in my opinion — esp. at the end of the third essay.
March 13, 2023
Art of conversation stands out as v timely for our age. Divergence of opinion is a strength, we should be willing to change our position based on evidence rather than engage in tribal warfare. Twitter take note.
April 5, 2019
The essay ‘On the Art of Conversation’ was such an amazing essay. This was my first time reading Michel De Montaigne, and I can tell you just from this I want to read more.
August 22, 2021
Art of conversation and on cannibals are worth a re-read
November 11, 2021
Odd selection of essays , excellent translation. Montaigne does digress on and on!
May 15, 2022
These reflective pieces were interesting but not ground-breaking for me. I enjoyed my time reading them though.
January 26, 2022
Extraordinary and so current like most of his essays. Full of nuggets of wisdom.
December 23, 2020
I really enjoyed this, especially liked ‘On the Art of Conversation’
“The wise have more to learn from the fools than the fools from the wise.... a bad use of language corrects my own behavior than a good one.... What hits you affects you and wakes you up more than what pleases you. We can only improve ourselves in times such as these by walking backwards, by discord not by harmony, by being different not by being like.”
“In conversation the most painful quality is perfect harmony..... our mind is strengthened by contact with vigorous and well-ordered minds, so too it is impossible to overstate how much it loses and deteriorates by the continuous commerce and contact we have with mean and ailing ones.”
I would add to the avoidance list the small-minded since as Eleanor Roosevelt put it...
“Great minds discuss ideas,
Average minds discuss events,
Small minds discuss people.”
(In my opinion, nothing is more deteriorating to the mind than being around an individual who gossips and only concerns themself with judging the lives of others).
He goes on to say not to judge the beliefs of others, no matter how strange, and to always listen and be open when hearing different perspectives: “contradictory judgements.... merely wake me up and provide me with exercise. We avoid being corrected: we ought to come forward and accept it, especially when it comes from conversation not a lecture. Whenever we meet opposition, we do not look to see if it is just but how we can get out of it... We ought to toughen and fortify our ears against being seduced by the sound of polite words.... I move towards the man who contradicts me: he is instructing me.”
“The wise have more to learn from the fools than the fools from the wise.... a bad use of language corrects my own behavior than a good one.... What hits you affects you and wakes you up more than what pleases you. We can only improve ourselves in times such as these by walking backwards, by discord not by harmony, by being different not by being like.”
“In conversation the most painful quality is perfect harmony..... our mind is strengthened by contact with vigorous and well-ordered minds, so too it is impossible to overstate how much it loses and deteriorates by the continuous commerce and contact we have with mean and ailing ones.”
I would add to the avoidance list the small-minded since as Eleanor Roosevelt put it...
“Great minds discuss ideas,
Average minds discuss events,
Small minds discuss people.”
(In my opinion, nothing is more deteriorating to the mind than being around an individual who gossips and only concerns themself with judging the lives of others).
He goes on to say not to judge the beliefs of others, no matter how strange, and to always listen and be open when hearing different perspectives: “contradictory judgements.... merely wake me up and provide me with exercise. We avoid being corrected: we ought to come forward and accept it, especially when it comes from conversation not a lecture. Whenever we meet opposition, we do not look to see if it is just but how we can get out of it... We ought to toughen and fortify our ears against being seduced by the sound of polite words.... I move towards the man who contradicts me: he is instructing me.”
Read
August 12, 2011.
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