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Montaigne’s Lesson about Life
“We are great fools,” Montaigne declared, in Of Experience. “I have done nothing today,” the fool says. “What! Have you not lived?” The living of life is a sufficient task. “Have you known how to . . . manage your … Continue reading
Posted in books, European history, Michel de Montaigne
Tagged Essays, history, Montaigne, philosophy
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Montaigne Revisited: Do I Play with My Dog, Or Does My Dog Play with Me?
Humans have long considered themselves the masters of creation. The Book of Genesis declares that humans are made in God’s image. The implication is that other forms of life do not reflect the image of God. Genesis declares further that … Continue reading
Montaigne and Repentance
Michel de Montaigne, the French writer of Essays, was a thinker. Alone in a library, his library, pondering. Alone, as he was in conception, as he will be in death. Alone, facing his maker, facing the universe, facing himself. No … Continue reading
Posted in Biography, books, Christianity, Michel de Montaigne
Tagged Essays, Montaigne, Repentance
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Montaigne and Human Folly
In the opening note to the reader in Montaigne’s Essays, the author suggests, since the Essays are only about the experiences and ruminations of Michel de Montaigne himself, that it is folly to read further. Montaigne was quite right, of … Continue reading
Posted in books, Christianity, Michel de Montaigne
Tagged Essays, Human Folly, Montaigne, Skepticism
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Montaigne’s Trials
The French thinker Michel de Montaigne wrote in his essay, Of Books: “I make no doubt that I often . . . speak of things that are much better, and more truly, handled by those who are masters of the … Continue reading
Reflections on Montaigne’s Essays
A year ago, I created this blog, the American Plutarch, to write reflections on a variety of historical, philosophical, and religious topics. I invite responses from readers, as I enjoy a dialogue about the nature of humanity. To me, history, … Continue reading
The American Plutarch 