Who Was Michel de Montaigne?

The invitation to visit Michel de Montaigne arrived a few weeks ago and it took some time to make all the arrangements. But I was almost there at the Chateau de Montaigne in Guyenne, France. This was my first time in France. The flowing countryside felt like fabrics of grass and trees had been draped over the earth. Columns of sleek green pine trees marked the entrance. The smell was inviting and seemed to cover you with a freshness only true nature can provide.

As my escorts and I made our way over the gravel road, the first glimpses of the famous residence made their way into our field of vision. It had a mix of nobleness and humbleness to it that felt welcoming. We had to fight the urge to speed up and make our acquaintance sooner. But the trees and plants on our left and right held us in their soothing grip.

Not the moment I met Michel de Montaigne

Approaching the end of this majestic lane, I didn’t want it to end. But there appeared the head of the household, waiting for us in front of the great doors. He had his assistant guide my escort and our horses to the stables and to their quarters. While I followed him inside as the doors creaked open. Through the imposing welcome hall, I was led to a warm dining room. I wanted to wash up first. So I went to my room. My luggage was there waiting for me. I made my toilet and felt like new.

My second visit to the dining room was, to my surprise, not the moment I first met Michel de Montaigne. I asked the servant if the master of the house was in. He said that he was, but required some more time on his own. He would inform me when it was time to visit, but until then I should replenish after the long trip.

There was a touch of awkardness

Only after around four hours, was I taken to the famous study in Montaigne’s tower. The scents of the fireplace preluded the majesty and mystery this room was about to show me. The valet opened the door, and it was difficult for me to focus. The impressive book collection, the beautiful wooden interior, and the texts on the vaulted ceiling all exceeded my expectations. Behind a massive desk which was covered in books and paper, I saw a slim person busy writing.

He barely looked up, but once he saw me approached me in a warm and welcoming way. However, there was a touch of awkwardness. Like a wild animal prodding the situation. You could tell that his mind was still in his writing and busy pondering the world. The valet closed the door as he left the room. We instantly started talking about our common interest; examining ourselves in the world.

Michel de Montaigne was a sixteenth-century nobleman

I imagine meetings like these often. Especially when I read works that have a heavy impact on my life. Michel de Montaigne writes his essays using an interesting topic to examine the world. He is the first one known to us and to himself to dissect himself. This gives us a unique and intimate view of his life and thoughts. The personal touch is what makes his essay so different from other philosophers, such as Plato. He even goes on to recommend against reading the works of this great predecessor of his. He thinks reading should be fun and Plato is too dense.

Michel de Montaigne was a sixteenth-century nobleman, who was raised by his father in a very loving and open-minded way. The people around him were instructed to speak to him only using Latin. So he grew up speaking better Latin than even his teachers. In his essays, he often mentions his upbringing and uses it as an example in one of them. You can tell that he highly regarded his father and the vision he had for him.

We showed savagery

During his life, he experienced many difficulties, not just because of the troubled times he lived in, but also in his personal life. The person he describes as the best friend he ever had, Etienne de la Boétie, died at a young age. Only a few short years after the two had met. During those years they managed to build a very strong relationship. One that could best be described as what Aristotle referred to as a friendship of virtue. Out of all the children he had, only one daughter lived to an old age, the others died prematurely.

In his texts, you can feel how open-minded he is. When he reflects on the rapports coming back from the explorations to the New World, he does not want to describe the natives as savages. He shows a different opinion from many of his contemporaries. It was his view that we showed savagery in the eyes of the natives. It was his view that it was us who showed savagery by the way we conducted ourselves there.

He didn’t like the dogmatic approach

Michel de Montaigne brings philosophy back to the common man, people like me. It is easy to follow and funny to read. He reminds us to be critical and keep examining ourselves. We are no different from the people who sit in the seats of power because even there they sit on their arses.

His philosophy is heavily influenced by the ancient Stoics, such as Seneca. Although you can doubt whether he would consider himself as one. He was not a big fan of the dogmatic approach some of the Stoics upheld. This is like my own opinion, and I think that’s what makes me like his views. I feel very akin to Stoicism, but I also allow other influences to enrich my life.

Remarkable comparisons to present-day life

As you read through the Essays, you’ll get a very intimate look into his life. It is the best expository on who he was. So if you want to learn about his life and at the same time about your own, then I recommend you to pick up his book.

Although Michel de Montaigne’s life took place in a completely different time from ours, it is remarkable how many comparisons we can draw to our own present-day lives. It is fascinating to read and it will change your view on all the other philosophers you’ve read, such as Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, or Epictetus.

Read the Reflection On Learning How to Die, based on his quote; here.

If you wish to learn more about Michel de Montaigne, his life, and his essays, visit the Hyperessays.