Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Volume 03

"Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Volume 03" by Michel de Montaigne is a compilation of thoughtful essays from the late 1500s, exploring topics such as doing what is brave, social customs like greetings, thinking about dying, and what it means to be human. Montaigne's work is known for its personal style and looking into personal and cultural ideas using stories and reasoning. The beginning of this collection introduces chapters that discuss social politeness and what society expects from people in different social levels. Montaigne thinks about how important manners are during meetings of important figures, pointing out how silly strict customs can be when they cause discomfort. He also questions extreme bravery, saying that too much excitement can lead to foolishness, and that being a coward also brings a certain punishment. In the end, the essays ask readers to think about balancing what society expects with doing what you think is right, while also considering big questions like being happy, doing what is moral, and the end of life, starting a conversation that involves both personal and shared human experiences.