Philippe Desan, Montaigne: A Life, translated from the French by Rendall Neal & Lisa Neal (Princeton & Oxford: Princeton U. Press, 2014, 2017) ("We have argued that the author of the Essais of 1580 was situated in a tradition of memoir-writers more than he was already a true essayist. Montaigne conceived his book and his career in direct relation to current history. Thus the reading of historians was essential in preparing Montaigne for the political and diplomatic responsibilities he envisioned. It was during this period of reflection on the subject matter of history and on historical thought that Montaigne wrote many passages in which he asserts that 'History is more my quarry,' or again 'the historians are the true quarry of my study.' The inventory of Montaigne's shows a pronounced taste for historical works." Id. at 580.).
Michel de Montaigne, The Complete Essays of Montaigne, translated from the French by Donald M. Frame (Stanford: Stanford U. Press, 1958) ("I do not share that common error of judging another by myself. I easily believe that another man may have qualities different from mine. Because I feel myself tied down to one form, I do not oblige everybody to espouse it, as all others do. I believe in and conceive a thousand contrary ways of life, and in contrast with the common run of men, I more easily admit difference than resemblance between us. I am as ready as you please to acquit another man from sharing my conditions and principles. I consider him simply in himself, without relation to others; I mold him to his own model. I do not fail, just because I am not continent, to acknowledge sincerely the continence of the Feuillants and the Capuchins, and to admire the manner of their life. I can very well insinuate myself by imagination into their place, and I love and honor them all the more because they are different from me. I have a singular desire that we should each be judged in ourselves apart, and that I may not be measured in conformity with the common patterns" Id. at 169.).
