居維葉
蒙田(1533～1592年)
Montaigne,Michel (Eyquem) de
法國廷臣和作家。生於小貴族之家，蒙田受到優良的古典教育（六歲前一直講拉丁語），後來攻讀法律，並在波爾多議會擔任顧問。他在那裡遇到律師伯蒂埃，並與他建立不尋常的友誼；1563年伯蒂埃死後留下的空虛可能讓蒙田走上寫作之路。1571年他退居自己的城堡，進行他的《隨筆集》（1580、1588），這是思及許多題材的一系列短篇散文，形成最吸引人而最貼近人心的文學自畫像之一。深刻批判時代，同時涉及時代的掙扎，他致力於經由自我檢驗而理解，把這種自我檢驗發展為對人類處境和真實德行、自我接受、容忍的描述。雖然晚年大致在寫作中度過，他偶爾會擔任轄區及他處宗教衝突事件的調解人，也在1581～1585年混亂的時期擔任波爾多的市長。亦請參閱essay。
English version：
1533～1592年
Montaigne,Michel (Eyquem) de
French courtier and author. Born into the minor nobility,Montaigne received an excellent classical education (speaking only Latin up to age 6) before studying law and serving as counselor at the Bordeaux Parliament. There he met the lawyer étienne de La Boétie,with whom he formed an extraordinary friendship; the void left by La Boétie's death in 1563 likely led Montaigne to begin his writing career. He retired to his chateau in 1571 to work on his Essais (1580,1588),a series of short prose reflections on many subjects that form one of the most captivating and intimate self-portraits ever written. At once deeply critical of his time and deeply involved in its struggles,he sought understanding through self-examination,which he developed into a description of the human condition and an ethic of authenticity,self-acceptance,and tolerance. Though most of his later years were devoted to writing,he occasionally served as mediator in episodes of religious conflict in his region and beyond,and served as mayor of Bordeaux during the troubled period 1581-85. See also essay.