Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Volume 17

In this lively essay, Montaigne turns his keen eye toward the very notion of vanity, probing how the urge to boast and to fill pages with empty words reflects the restless spirit of his age. He mixes sharp observation with personal confession, comparing the endless scribbling of scholars to the trivial pursuits of a man who counts his meals as study. The tone is both witty and earnest, inviting listeners to consider how the desire for fame can become a self‑inflicted distraction.

Montaigne also sketches the broader social climate, noting how law, justice, and genuine purpose have been eclipsed by petty regulations and idle chatter. He hints at the paradox of being a “last” voice of honesty amid a chorus of the self‑absorbed, using vivid analogies—from physicians ignoring ulcers to Spartans neglecting basic care in times of crisis. Listeners will find his reflections both a mirror of his own restless mind and a timeless critique of the vanity that still haunts modern life.