I bought a new edition of Montaigne's complete works. It is 1300 pages and I think it is in 8pt. type. That's a lot of words by quill. I might go for an abridged ed. it includes his letters. I wonder if he is the best documented person ever?
Montaigne lived during a time of tribal fracturing and hatred similar to our own (his time was much more violent but much less stupid) and was able to keep his head (literally and figuratively) through his wide and varied reading, his even-keeled soul and naturally kind temperament, his congenital allergy to any and all certitude, and most importantly, by NOT TAKING HIMSELF SERIOUSLY:
"Souls are most beautiful when they show most variety and flexibility....If I ever want to laugh at a fool I do not have to look far: I can laugh at myself." etc etc...
I've always thought that if I ever end up in prison, as long as they let me keep a copy of his Essays, I'd be ok (minus the violence, of course)...;)
I read a whole bunch of French lit while I was in library school. It was a bit more interesting than memorizing cataloging rules. I did read his Essays in translation. He really had an insight into human motives and impulses. "Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know."
Montaigne's humility and willingness to admit self-contradiction, at times, distinguishes the essay from its too-much-seen sibling, the screed.
It's their invitation to be willing to be bewildered that draws me to good essayists. Substack authors like Harmony Holiday and Walter Kirn are two such writers.
I never would have thought of connecting Montaigne with Substack, but you are so right in saying they have a lot in common. My father used to read Montaigne's essays often and quote them to us sometimes at the dinner table. I only wish he could have lived to enjoy Substack. He would have loved reading many of the entries.
I love this! What a brilliant connection to make. Also, off topic, but on my post the other day you mentioned the Moravians in NC. I live in NC and my neighborhood abuts a Moravian church that was founded prior to the Revolutionary War. There are gravestones there that predate the founding of the US. It’s still an active community and an active cemetery. We’ve even picnicked there.
I bought a new edition of Montaigne's complete works. It is 1300 pages and I think it is in 8pt. type. That's a lot of words by quill. I might go for an abridged ed. it includes his letters. I wonder if he is the best documented person ever?
Montaigne lived during a time of tribal fracturing and hatred similar to our own (his time was much more violent but much less stupid) and was able to keep his head (literally and figuratively) through his wide and varied reading, his even-keeled soul and naturally kind temperament, his congenital allergy to any and all certitude, and most importantly, by NOT TAKING HIMSELF SERIOUSLY:
"Souls are most beautiful when they show most variety and flexibility....If I ever want to laugh at a fool I do not have to look far: I can laugh at myself." etc etc...
I've always thought that if I ever end up in prison, as long as they let me keep a copy of his Essays, I'd be ok (minus the violence, of course)...;)
Thanks for this, Kathleen!
I read a whole bunch of French lit while I was in library school. It was a bit more interesting than memorizing cataloging rules. I did read his Essays in translation. He really had an insight into human motives and impulses. "Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know."
Thank you -- you are a treasure !!
Montaigne's humility and willingness to admit self-contradiction, at times, distinguishes the essay from its too-much-seen sibling, the screed.
It's their invitation to be willing to be bewildered that draws me to good essayists. Substack authors like Harmony Holiday and Walter Kirn are two such writers.
Well, off the ABEBOOKS...thank you!
I never would have thought of connecting Montaigne with Substack, but you are so right in saying they have a lot in common. My father used to read Montaigne's essays often and quote them to us sometimes at the dinner table. I only wish he could have lived to enjoy Substack. He would have loved reading many of the entries.
k savons-nous?
I love this! What a brilliant connection to make. Also, off topic, but on my post the other day you mentioned the Moravians in NC. I live in NC and my neighborhood abuts a Moravian church that was founded prior to the Revolutionary War. There are gravestones there that predate the founding of the US. It’s still an active community and an active cemetery. We’ve even picnicked there.