Literary and Philosophical Essays: French, German and Italian

"Literary and Philosophical Essays: French, German and Italian" by Montaigne et al. is a compilation of insightful essays from the late 1500s, pondering topics like happiness, learning, and the very essence of thought. The author, known for his self-examination, mixes personal tales with deep thinking. The beginning of the collection highlights the life of Montaigne and how he started writing essays, and argues that one can't know if someone was truly happy until they die. Using stories from the past and philosophical ideas, Montaigne shows that thinking about death is key to understanding life. Overall, the writer suggests becoming aware of oneself and looking inward as important ways to deal with the difficulties of life. This sets the stage for a series of writings that reveal personal feelings and explore philosophical discussions.