How To Live a Full Life, According to French Philosopher Michel de Montaigne
Michel de Montaigne was among the most influential minds of the French Renaissance, though his writing style was quite unusual compared to that of many of his contemporaries. As displayed in his famous work Essais, a collection of essays, Montaigne expressed his skepticism through a free-flowing and somewhat conversational style.
He was known for infusing his philosophical works with personal ruminations and informal anecdotes, rather than relying solely on complex vocabulary and eloquent wordsmithing. Many of these writings were criticized at the time for defying conventional scholarly norms, but over the years, Montaigne has gained a reputation for offering one of the most honest and forthright approaches of any Renaissance thinker.
Montaigne maintained that people can only live a full life through experience, and thus he promoted an active learning process reliant on trial, error, and human interaction. He was also a firm believer in the idea that doubt is ever-present, and that the quest to achieve true certainty is futile. Montaigne’s humanist beliefs went on to inspire many other influential figures, including Francis Bacon, Voltaire, and William Shakespeare.
Here are 13 quotes from Montaigne on what it means to live a full and honest life to the best of our ability. His teachings serve as a reminder to practice self-awareness, to know our limits, and to continually learn through experience.
