French Literature Reviews - 2026
A. Comte-Sponville, Dictionnaire amoureux de Montaigne
Philosophy, Anthropology and Ideas
Dictionnaire amoureux de Montaigne
André Comte-Sponville
Plon
Publication date 09/03/2020
EAN 9782259277891
Number of pages: 633 p
Undoubtedly the most illuminating book on Montaigne since... Montaigne himself, and a masterpiece by André Comte-Sponville. He helps us rediscover Montaigne as a brilliant writer, a talented philosopher, and an exceptional human being. André Comte-Sponville's tour de force lies in his passionate dialogue with the author of the Essays, through which he makes the incredible richness of Montaigne's thought both crystal clear and deeply moving, while offering us an intimate glimpse into how this engagement helps his own philosophy reach a new milestone.
He leads us to rediscover Montaigne—a genius writer, a gifted philosopher, and an exceptional human being whom one would have loved to know: "What mind could be freer, more singular, more deeply embodied? What writing more supple, more inventive, more savory? What thought more open, more lucid, more audacious? He does not think to reassure himself, nor to prove himself right. He does not live merely to produce a work.
What for? To live, which is far more difficult than it seems, and that is precisely why he writes and thinks. He has little faith in philosophy, and yet philosophizes all the better for it. He distrusts 'scribbling' and escapes it through sheer authenticity, spontaneity, and naturalness. He lays claim to no truth, or at least to no certainty, yet creates the truest book in the world, the most original and, consequently, the most universal.
He harbors few illusions about human beings, and is all the more a humanist for it; nor about wisdom, and is all the more wise for it. Ultimately, he only wishes to test his faculties (his title, Essays, is to be taken literally) and succeeds beyond all expectations. Who could ask for more? And what author, more than four centuries after his death, remains so vibrant, so relevant, so indispensable?"
In this engaging volume, contemporary philosopher André Comte-Sponville turns his attention to sixteenth-century master Michel de Montaigne and his foundational work, the Essays. Rather than offering a traditional academic commentary, Comte-Sponville enters into a vibrant, personal dialogue with the Renaissance writer. He examines how Montaigne navigated skepticism, human nature, and the art of living with remarkable lucidity and freedom from dogmatism. This intimate approach highlights the profound resonance between two distinct philosophical voices separated by centuries.
This dictionary format serves as an accessible entry point for students, scholars, and general readers seeking to deepen their appreciation of French literature and humanist thought. By illuminating key themes such as authenticity, self-examination, and the practical challenges of daily existence, the book helps readers grapple with enduring questions about wisdom and human experience. It will particularly appeal to those interested in the history of ideas, moral philosophy, and the ongoing relevance of Renaissance literature in modern life.