Michel de Montaigne – författare

Michel de Montaigne (15331592) betraktas som en av renässansens viktigaste filosofer. Han föddes i en familj bestående av jurister och handelsmän, och kom som vuxen att tjänstgöra vid domstolen i Bordeaux. 1580 utkom den första versionen av Essayer, som författats efter att Montaigne dragit sig tillbaka. Återstoden av livet spenderade han i sitt bibliotek, där texter ska ha fötts fram som »chimärer och inbillade monster«. Verkets skepticism, ärlighet och eklektiska spännvidd har kommit att inspirera generationer av tänkare, från René Descartes till Isaac Asimov. Jan Stolpes lovordade översättning av Montaignes Essayer utgår från 1595 års manuskript, som redigerades av Montaignes »andliga dotter«, Marie de Gournay, som även författade en tidig text om kvinnors rättigheter. Omslaget till Essayer Bok I är hämtat från Salvador Dalís surrealistiska utgåva av Essayer , som publicerades av förlaget Doubleday 1947. Dalís Essayer trycktes i 1000 exemplar, och betraktas idag som en raritet. Omslagsbilden hämtar sitt namn från kapitlet Att filosofera är att lära sig dö, där Montaigne skriver: »Målet för vår färd är döden, den är det oundvikliga riktmärket: om döden skrämmer oss, hur kan vi då ta ett enda steg framåt utan att bäva?«

Describing his collection of Essays as ‘a book consubstantial with its author’, Montaigne identified both the power and the charm of a work which introduces us to one of the most attractive figures in European literature. A humanist, a sceptic, an acute observer of himself and others, he reflects the great themes of existence through the prism of his own self-consciousness. Apparent in every line he wrote, his virtues of tolerance, moderation and disinterested inquiry amount to an undeclared manifesto for the Enlightenment, whose prophet he is. This complete edition of his works supplements the Essays with travel diaries and letters, thereby completing the portrait of a true Renaissance man.

Med Essayer skapade Michel de Montaigne (15331592) inte bara en ny prosagenre, utan odlade även en för sin tid unik stil, som skickligt anpassats till svenskan av Jan Stolpe. Genom personliga anekdoter understryker Montaigne texternas subjektivitet. I den andra delen av Essayer rör han sig från antikens syn på tummen till det stimulerande i att inte vara överens. Med karaktäristisk elegans manar han den sjuke till tålamod: att låta sig »ledas lika tålmodigt som loppor och mullvadar«. Jan Stolpes lovordade översättning av Montaignes Essayer utgår från 1595 års manuskript, som redigerades av Montaignes »andliga dotter«, Marie de Gournay, som även författade en tidig text om kvinnors rättigheter. Omslaget till Essayer Bok II är hämtat från Salvador Dalís surrealistiska utgåva av Essayer, som publicerades av förlaget Doubleday 1947. Dalís Essayer trycktes i 1000 exemplar, och betraktas idag som en raritet. Omslagsbilden hämtar sitt namn från kapitlet Om äran, där Montaigne ger en träffande beskrivning av ärelystnad: »Den som först liknade äran vid skugga träffade bättre än han avsåg. Båda är utomordentligt tomma. Och ibland går skuggan före sin kropp, ibland överträffar den kroppen ordentligt i längd.«

1588 publicerade Michel de Montaigne del tre av Essayer. Det unika tilltal som präglar Bok I och II hade då gått in en ny fas, som präglas av kritisk reflektion och tillbakablickande. Montaignes ordlekar och metaforer har mognat, och det förekommer inte sällan spetsfundigheter: »[] om ena skon sitter snett låter jag både skjortan och kappan sitta snett, halvdan bättring är inget för mig«. Jan Stolpes lovordade översättning av Montaignes Essayer utgår från 1595 års manuskript, som redigerades av Montaignes »andliga dotter«, Marie de Gournay, som även författade en tidig text om kvinnors rättigheter. Bok III innehåller utöver kommentarer även index för de tre volymerna. Omslaget till Bok III är hämtat från Salvador Dalís surrealistiska utgåva av Essayer, som publicerades av förlaget Doubleday 1947. Dalís Essayer trycktes i 1000 exemplar, och betraktas idag som en raritet. Omslagsbilden hämtar sitt namn från kapitlet Om fåfänglighet: »Jag kände en adelsman som redovisade sitt liv enbart med hjälp av sin mages funktioner. I hans hem stod en rad pottor för de senaste sju åtta dagarna uppställda för begrundan. Detta studerade han och reflekterade över, alla andra ämnen stank för honom. Här finner man, en smula snyggare presenterat, en gammal andes exkrementer, än hårda, än lösa, alltid osmälta.«

Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization, and helped make us who we are.Michel de Montaigne was the originator of the modern essay form; in these diverse pieces he expresses his views on relationships, contemplates the idea that man is no different from any animal, argues that all cultures should be respected, and attempts, by an exploration of himself, to understand the nature of humanity.

Blending intellectual speculation with anecdote and personal reflection, the Renaissance thinker and writer Montaigne pioneered the modern essay. This selection contains his idiosyncratic and timeless writings on subjects as varied as the virtues of solitude, the power of the imagination, the pleasures of reading, the importance of sleep and why we sometimes laugh and cry at the same things. Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.

'No one characteristic clasps us purely and universally in its embrace.'Glittering essays by the Renaissance master of the form, exploring contradictions in human thoughts and actions.

Blending intellectual speculation with anecdote and personal reflection, the Renaissance thinker and writer Montaigne pioneered the modern essay. This selection contains his idiosyncratic and timeless writings on subjects as varied as the virtues of solitude, the power of the imagination, the pleasures of reading, the importance of sleep and why we sometimes laugh and cry at the same things. Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.

Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization, and helped make us who we are.Michel de Montaigne was the originator of the modern essay form; in these diverse pieces he expresses his views on relationships, contemplates the idea that man is no different from any animal, argues that all cultures should be respected, and attempts, by an exploration of himself, to understand the nature of humanity.

An essential companion to the most relevant works of Michel de Montaigne Essays: The Philosophy Classic delivers a carefully curated collection of thought-provoking works by sixteenth-century thinker Michel De Montaigne. Exploring topics as diverse as politics, poetry, love, friendship and the purpose of philosophy, this latest entry in the celebrated Capstone Classics series is accessible and intuitively organized. Follow the thoughts of the person who created the essay genre in literature as he expresses his philosophy, interests, and learning. Throughout, you’ll be guided by an expansive introduction by leading Montaigne scholar Philippe Desan and the comments of series editor Tom Butler-Bowdon, placing the work of Montaigne in its historical and philosophical context. You’ll also find: Celebrated and famous works by Montaigne, including noted classics like “That to Study Philosophy is to Learn to Die”Lesser-known works that have taken on increased importance in the unique context of the 21st-centuryA version of the popular Charles Cotton translation first published in 1685: a simple, faithful, and clear adaptation of the French originalAn invaluable resource for anyone interested in the insightful and illuminating work of one of the most enduring thinkers of the 16th-century, Essays: The Philosophy Classic is an essential addition to the libraries of philosophers, historians, and laypeople seeking an eye-opening and fascinating exploration of life itself.

An essential companion to the most relevant works of Michel de Montaigne

Essays: The Philosophy Classic delivers a carefully curated collection of thought-provoking works by sixteenth-century thinker Michel De Montaigne. Exploring topics as diverse as politics, poetry, love, friendship and the purpose of philosophy, this latest entry in the celebrated Capstone Classics series is accessible and intuitively organized.

Follow the thoughts of the person who created the essay genre in literature as he expresses his philosophy, interests, and learning. Throughout, you’ll be guided by an expansive introduction by leading Montaigne scholar Philippe Desan and the comments of series editor Tom Butler-Bowdon, placing the work of Montaigne in its historical and philosophical context.

You’ll also find:

Celebrated and famous works by Montaigne, including noted classics like “That to Study Philosophy is to Learn to Die” Lesser-known works that have taken on increased importance in the unique context of the 21st-century A version of the popular Charles Cotton translation first published in 1685: a simple, faithful, and clear adaptation of the French original

An invaluable resource for anyone interested in the insightful and illuminating work of one of the most enduring thinkers of the 16th-century, Essays: The Philosophy Classic is an essential addition to the libraries of philosophers, historians, and laypeople seeking an eye-opening and fascinating exploration of life itself.

An essential companion to the most relevant works of Michel de Montaigne

Essays: The Philosophy Classic delivers a carefully curated collection of thought-provoking works by sixteenth-century thinker Michel De Montaigne. Exploring topics as diverse as politics, poetry, love, friendship and the purpose of philosophy, this latest entry in the celebrated Capstone Classics series is accessible and intuitively organized.

Follow the thoughts of the person who created the essay genre in literature as he expresses his philosophy, interests, and learning. Throughout, you’ll be guided by an expansive introduction by leading Montaigne scholar Philippe Desan and the comments of series editor Tom Butler-Bowdon, placing the work of Montaigne in its historical and philosophical context.

You’ll also find:

Celebrated and famous works by Montaigne, including noted classics like “That to Study Philosophy is to Learn to Die” Lesser-known works that have taken on increased importance in the unique context of the 21st-century A version of the popular Charles Cotton translation first published in 1685: a simple, faithful, and clear adaptation of the French original

An invaluable resource for anyone interested in the insightful and illuminating work of one of the most enduring thinkers of the 16th-century, Essays: The Philosophy Classic is an essential addition to the libraries of philosophers, historians, and laypeople seeking an eye-opening and fascinating exploration of life itself.

Under the pretense of defending an obscure treatise by a Catalan theologian, Sebond, Montaigne attacks the philosophers who attempt rational explanations of the universe and argues for a skeptical Christianity based squarely on faith rather than reason. The result is the Apology for Raymond Sebond, a classic of Counter-Reformation thought and a masterpiece of Renaissance literature.This new translation by Roger Ariew and Marjorie Grene achieves both accuracy and fluency, conveying at once the nuances of Montaigne’s arguments and his distinctive literary style.