The Essays of Montaigne: Book I, Chapters 13–21

What it's about

Includes 'That to study philosophy is to learn to die' and 'Of the force of imagination', two of Montaigne's best-known early essays, along with shorter pieces on fear, cowardice and happiness. Cotton's 1685 translation, edited by W. C. Hazlitt.

Who it's for

- Readers who want to meet Montaigne one essay at a time - Anyone interested in how the personal essay began - Readers who enjoy candid, wandering thought on how to live

What’s inside

1. 1

   THE CEREMONY OF THE INTERVIEW OF PRINCES

   3 min
2. 2

   THAT MEN ARE JUSTLY PUNISHED FOR BEING OBSTINATE IN THE DEFENCE OF A FORT THAT IS NOT IN REASON TO BE DEFENDED

   2 min
3. 3

   OF THE PUNISHMENT OF COWARDICE

   3 min
4. 4

   A PROCEEDING OF SOME AMBASSADORS

   6 min
5. 5

   OF FEAR

   5 min
6. 6

   THAT MEN ARE NOT TO JUDGE OF OUR HAPPINESS TILL AFTER DEATH.

   5 min
7. 7

   THAT TO STUDY PHILOSOPY IS TO LEARN TO DIE

   29 min
8. 8

   OF THE FORCE OF IMAGINATION

   23 min
9. 9

   THAT THE PROFIT OF ONE MAN IS THE DAMAGE OF ANOTHER

   1 min

What readers say

Read next

The Essays of Montaigne: Book I, Chapters 48–57Michel de MontaigneFull book

The Essays of Montaigne: Book I, Chapters 27–38Michel de MontaigneFull book

The Essays of Montaigne: Book I, Chapters 39–47Michel de MontaigneFull book

The Critique of Pure ReasonImmanuel KantFull book

LawsPlatoFull book

Summary

The Wisdom of InsecurityAlan WattsSummary12 min