Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Volume 11

"Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Volume 11" by Michel de Montaigne is a series of thought-provoking essays from the 1500s that ponder big ideas like death, how we make decisions, and what we really want in life. Written like personal reflections, the essays share insights on the tricky parts of being human, especially how we think about life and when it ends. Starting with "Of Judging of the Death of Another," the volume looks at how hard it is to truly know how someone feels about dying, since most people don't really face up to it, preferring to stay hopeful and feeling important. Comparing the sureness of death with our ever-changing feelings, the author uses examples from history to show how differently people have dealt with death, bravely or in despair. By first pointing out how much we like to think we matter and how odd courage in death can be, the stage is set for musings touching on life and death.