If you press me to say why I loved him, I can say no more than it was because he was he, and I was I.
Meaning
Asked to explain his love for La Boétie, Montaigne could give no list of reasons, only the plain fact of two particular people recognizing each other. Cherish friends for who they are rather than what they offer, and resist ranking them by usefulness.
Source: Essays, Book I (1580)
About the author
(1533–1592) was a French philosopher and writer known for popularizing the essay as a literary form. His work "Essais" explores human nature, knowledge, and self-reflection. Montaigne’s writing is introspective and conversational, emphasizing personal experience. His ideas influenced modern philosophy and literature. Michel de Montaigne’s legacy remains central to intellectual thought.
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