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Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) was born on his family estate in Aquitaine, not far from Bordeaux. Raised speaking Greek and Latin, he studied law before embarking on a career of public service, first as a counselor of court in Périgueux and Bordeaux, then as a courtier to Charles IX. Following the death of his father, Montaigne retired from public life to the Tower of his château to read and write. He published the first two volumes of his landmark Essays in 1580, with a third following in 1588; the complete Essays appeared posthumously in 1595.

Read Montaigne in order to live

• TABLE OF CONTENTSPART ONEMONTAIGNE ON MONTAIGNE1 On Sorrow2 On how our Actions are to be judged by the Intention3 On Idling4 On Liars5 That we should not be considered happy until we are deadPART TWOON THE PURSUIT OF REASON6 On Fear7 To tell true from false, it is folly to rely on our own capacities8 How we can cry and laugh at the same thing9 On Solitude10 On the Uncertainty of our Judgement11 On DrunkennessPART THREEON GOVERNANCE AND GOVERNORS12 On Cannibals13 On the Inequality that exists between us14 On Sleep15 On our lease of life16 On Carriages