Essays

Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) – a French writer and philosopher of the Renaissance, lived a quiet, uneventful life, rarely traveling beyond his hometown and family estate, and was indifferent to the political and religious turmoil of his time – even politely declined the offer from Henry IV to become his advisor.
Montaigne's main work – the "Essays", which the philosopher worked on for 10 years – is written in a lively and freeform style, without a clear plan. State governance, relationships between people, control over one's own will – these and many other topics are examined from the perspective of personal experience and accompanied by witty remarks and quotes from ancient and contemporary authors. The titles of the chapters accurately reflect their content: "On Friendship", "On Fear", "On Drunkenness", "On Repentance", "On Glory", etc.
"Essays" is a book that was quoted by Shakespeare, passionately debated by Pascal and Descartes, and admired by Voltaire. A book that is still part of the philosophy curriculum in all universities around the world.