What's the influence of Montaigne on Voltaire?

In the Lettres philosophiques Voltaire defends Montaigne against various criticisms by Pascal. He defends Montaigne's project of self-portrayal, because it reveals something about human nature, its weaknesses and follies. read more

—Voltaire, Letter to Jeanne-Grâce Bosc du Bouchet, 1748[/quote] I n each of these entries, I show how a certain historical figure upended conventional wisdom and/or redirected the course of western history. read more

Michel de Montaigne: Michel de Montaigne, French writer whose Essais (Essays) established a new literary form. In his Essays he wrote one of the most captivating and intimate self-portraits ever given, on a par with Augustine’s and Rousseau’s. read more