of relationships that are about the meeting of two souls (rather than just bodies). His model here is his deep friendship with Etienne de la Boétie, who had been accused of seditionary writings. Their loyalty to each other over time is analogous to a citizen who is loyal to the state.
On Moderation
Whatever pleasures humans find, they take things to excess, thereby making pleasure a vice. Even the study of philosophy, if engaged in too much, will make a person have contempt for religion and accepted laws and customs. “Everything in moderation”, and having respect for others, are a good rule for life.
On Cannibals
Montaigne is unusually open-minded for his time on the matter of “natives”. We only think them barbarous because they are so different to us in dress, beliefs, and customs. Western civilization has its own array of enterprises and customs which would look cruel and nonsensical to outsiders. Amid our hubris, we would do well to remember that the greatest “art” in the universe is nature itself.
On Solitude
Wherever we go, we take ourselves along. Montaigne sought freedom of mind and tranquility in his tower study, but found he was a prisoner of wandering, unhelpful thoughts. We do not need physical solitude as monks and nuns seek, but to be in the world and yet live with some level of detachment.
BOOK II
On the Inconstancy of Our Actions
Humans are full of contradictions, and mostly drift along with the flow of life without having a real plan. Our moods and affections change with the weather, and there's as much difference within us, as between individuals. Given that we allow chance to play such a part in our lives, it's no wonder that chance will dominate and take us places we'd rather not go.
Use Makes Perfect
Sometimes translated as “On Practice”, the practice in question is not mastering of a skill but preparing for death. Montaigne, like most people, feared death. That was until he was thrown off his horse in an accident and was concussed; from that moment he had more equanimity. Relating the incident leads to a discussion of how much one should talk about oneself. Not too much, he thinks, but never talking of oneself also goes against human nature.
On Books
Montaigne reveals his reading habits, noting that he will only keep reading a book he really enjoys; he feels the ancient books are more solid than recent ones; and he follows Horace's division of books into those that merely delight, and those that delight and are useful (particularly ones that help him be a better person). Among the poets, he ranks Virgil highest. Among the useful writers, he likes Plutarch and Seneca; Cicero is too wordy. Among historians, he finds most weak because they put narrative over fact.
On Cruelty
The chapter begins by discussing virtue. Montaigne does not see himself as particularly virtuous. If he has good qualities, most were developed through education and good family – neither of which were his creation. He is not free of vice by any means, but one vice he would never engage in is cruelty. If someone is put to death, let it be quick. Torture for public enjoyment is disgusting. We should be kind to animals because they have feelings.
On Giving the Lie
Montaigne's own age, in fact every age in history including the classical world, is one of lies and dissimulation. He despises lying for the bad effects it carries through time. It is both cowardly towards other people, and disrespects God. His Essays are, if nothing else, an attempt to convey the truth – even if messy or awkward, or lacking direction or resolution.
On a Monstrous Child
Montaigne relates seeing two curiosities: male conjoined twins; and a man born with no genitals who nevertheless was aroused by women. Though they may seem “monsters”, in God's eyes they cannot be, because as God made everything in nature, it all must be perfect. The universe has a great multitude of life, which we can wonder at.
On Three Good Women
A further meditation on love and marriage. Montaigne takes three examples from antiquity of devotion of wives to their husbands. He also salutes the great suicide of Seneca, who stayed true to his Stoic principles, with equanimity shown until the end.
BOOK III
On Profit and Honesty
Sometimes, there appears to be a conflict between personal virtue and matters of politics or business. Cicero wrote that what is right and what is expedient can never be separate things, and Montaigne largely agrees. In a time of war (as he was), one has to take sides, but in all personal and public dealings one should act with justice and sympathy, never becoming so inflamed that one acts with vengeance or cruelty.
On Repentance
Montaigne's subject here is the question of whether one has acted honorably, given the facts and circumstances at the time of decision. He has largely trusted his own judgment on things, and therefore is fully responsible for this life. It is less worrisome anyway to appreciate that things turned out as they meant to, and that one's decisions matter little in the scheme of things. There is little that can agitate Montaigne, and his relative lack of ambition or intensity has worked well for him. If you are moderate, you will have peace.
On Some Verses of Virgil
The chapter title disguises the real subject: human sexuality. Montaigne begins by noting he is too old to engage in much sex now, but he enjoys himself with memories. He admits his marriage was arranged but respects the institution of marriage and has kept to his vows. Sex is so strong an impulse that the world revolves around it. Women have desires as strong as men, and he looks wryly on women who claim to have their mind only on higher things. It is only education and custom that make women and men seem so different.
On Coaches
Horse-drawn coaches were still a symbol of luxury in Montaigne's time, so he uses them as the means to criticize pomp and ostentation. When rulers have grand transports and caravans, it is a sign that they lack confidence in their power and judgment and make up for it with display. They spend on lavish festivals to make the people feel good about them, when the money would be better spent on ports, bridges, schools, hospitals. He contrasts this with the apparent nobility of the New World rulers, admiring the civilization they built before the Spanish conquest.
On the Art of Conversation
Montaigne loves conversation so much, that he would rather lose his sight than his speech or hearing. In contrast to the solitariness of reading, conversation builds our character and skills. He welcomes strange or shocking views, because from every chat you learn something
