Montaigne and his essays

 When I retired, people gave me a lot of advice. Here’s what Montaigne said:

It is time to slip our knots with society now that we can contribute nothing to it.

That line was my guide.

I was young once. I had my day. But it was time for younger and better minds to have theirs. And, when your day in public life is over, it’s an excellent time to rediscover the delights of your own home, your own place, your own loved ones, family and friends.

If I could have only one book, I’d choose Montaigne’s Essays. My copy is as worn as my grandmothers’ Bibles.

Montaigne was a lawyer, and the word “essais” meant “attempts” or “trials.” He retired early and spent the rest of his life trying to sort out what he thought about things.

When he went essaying, he was taking at stab at a topic.

He changed his mind frequently. He didn’t bother to correct earlier essays. He let the contradictions stand. He got better as he went.

Reading him makes me think there’s hope for me.

Michel Eyquem de Montaigne was born Feb. 28, 1533. Today’s a feast day in my calendar.

• Sources: Michel de Montaigne, The Complete Essays, translated by M.A. Screech; London: Penguin Books, 1993, p. 272. For a little more, see “Marking the day: Montaigne,” Feb. 28, 2022. For a lot more, see the essay on Montaigne at hebertaylor.com.