Boring Conversation Michel de Montaigne
There is no conversation more boring than the one where everybody agrees. | Michel de Montaigne Continue reading Boring Conversation Michel de Montaigne
an online book by David Gurteen
Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) was a French philosopher and essayist who believed that conversation was the best way to explore ideas. In his writings, he emphasized the importance of engaging in lively and meaningful conversations as a way to better understand oneself and others. Montaigne believed that through conversation, people could challenge their own beliefs, learn from others, and come to a deeper appreciation of the complexity of human nature.
Michel Eyquem, Seigneur de Montaigne ( mon-TAYN; French: [miʃɛl ekɛm də mɔ̃tɛɲ]; Middle French: [miˈʃɛl ejˈkɛm də mõnˈtaɲə]; 28 February 1533 – 13 September 1592), commonly known as Michel de Montaigne, was one of the most significant philosophers of the French Renaissance. He is known for popularising the essay as a literary genre. His work is noted for its merging of casual anecdotes and autobiography with intellectual insight. Montaigne had a direct influence on numerous writers of Western literature in the Western world; his Essais contain some of the most influential essays ever written.
During his lifetime Montaigne was admired more as a statesman than as an author. The tendency in his essays to digress into anecdotes and personal ruminations was seen as detrimental to proper style rather than as an innovation, and his declaration that "I am myself the matter of my book" was viewed by his contemporaries as self-indulgent. In time, however, Montaigne came to be recognised as embodying the spirit of freely entertaining doubt that began to emerge at that time. He is most famously known for his sceptical remark, "Que sçay-je ?" ("What do I know?", in Middle French; "Que sais-je ?" in modern French).
Credit: Wikipedia - Michel_de_MontaigneThere is no conversation more boring than the one where everybody agrees. | Michel de Montaigne Continue reading Boring Conversation Michel de Montaigne
In my opinion, the most fruitful and natural play of the mind is in conversation. I find it sweeter than any other action in life; and if I were forced to choose, I think I would rather lose my sight than my hearing and voice. | Michel de Montaigne Continue reading The Most Fruitful and Natural Play of the Mind Is in Conversation Michel de Montaigne
I put forward formless and unresolved notions, as do those who publish doubtful questions to debate in the schools, not to establish the truth but to seek it. | Michel de Montaigne Continue reading Establishing the Truth Michel de Montaigne
Words can reveal insights into the history and evolution of language. The word “conversation” has significantly changed its meaning and usage over time. What is the origin and history of “conversation”, and how has its meaning changed? Continue reading Etymology of Conversation A history of the word “conversation”