Complete Essays

Born in 1533, Montaigne studied law and spent a number of years working as a counsellor before devoting his life to reading, writing and reflection. He died in 1586. Dr M.A. Screech is regarded as the world's greatest authority on Montaigne.

• The Complete EssaysIntroductionNote on the TextThe AnnotationsNote on the TranslationExplanation of the SymbolsAppendicesTo the ReaderBook I1. We reach the same end by discrepant means2. On sadness3. Our emotions get carried away beyond us4. How the soul discharges its emotions against false objects when lacking real ones5. Whether the governor of a besieged fortress should go out and parley6. The hour of parleying is dangerous7. That our deeds are judged by the intention8. On idleness9. On liars10. On a ready or hesitant delivery11. On prognostications12. On constancy13. Ceremonial at the meeting of kings14. That the taste of good and evil things depends in large part on the opinion we have of them15. One is punished for stubbornly defending a fort without good reason16. On punishing cowardice17. The doings of certain ambassadors18. On fear19. That we should not be deemed happy till after our death20. To philosophize is to learn how to die21. On the power of the imagination22. One man's profit is another man's loss23. On habit: and on never easily changing a traditional law24. Same design: differing outcomes25. On schoolmasters' learning26. On educating children27. That it is madness to judge the true and the false from our own capacities28. On affectionate relationships29. Nine and twenty sonnets of Estienne de La Boëtie30. On moderation31. On the Cannibals32. Judgements on God's ordinances must be embarked upon with prudence33. On fleeing from pleasures at the cost of one's life34. Fortune is often found in Reason's train35. Something lacking in our civil administrations36. On the custom of wearing clothing37. On Cato the Younger38. How we weep and laugh at the same thing39. On solitude40. Reflections upon Cicero41. On not sharing one's fame42. On the inequality there is between us43. On sumptuary laws44. On sleep45. On the Battle of Dreux46. On names47. On the uncertainty of our judgement48. On war-horses49. On ancient customs50. On Democritus and Heraclitus51. On the vanity of words52. On the frugality of the Ancients53. On one of Caesar's sayings54. On vain cunning devices55. On smells56. On prayer57. On the length of lifeBook II1. On the inconstancy of our actions2. On drunkenness3. A custom of the Isle of Cea4. "Work can wait till tomorrow"5. On conscience6. On practice7. On rewards for honour8. On the affection of fathers for their children9. On the armour of the Parthians10. On books11. On cruelty12. An apology for Raymond Sebond13. On judging someone else's death14. How our mind tangles itself up15. That difficulty increases desire16. On glory17. On presumption18. On giving the lie19. On freedom of conscience20. We can savour nothing pure21. Against indolence22. On riding "in post"23. On bad means to a good end24. On the greatness of Rome25. On not pretending to be ill26. On thumbs27. On cowardice, the mother of cruelty28. There is a season for everything29. On virtue30. On a monster-child31. On anger32. In defence of Seneca and Plutarch33. The tale of Spurina34. Observations on Julius Caesar's methods of waging war35. On three good wives36. On the most excellent of men37. On the resemblance of children to their fathersBook III1. On the useful and the honourable2. On repenting3. On three kinds of social intercourse4. On diversion5. On some lines of Virgil6. On coaches7. On high rank as a disadvantage8. On the art of conversation9. On vanity10. On restraining your will11. On the lame12. On physiognomy13. On experienceIndex