The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Essays of Montaigne, Volume 17 by Michel de MontaigneThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atwww.gutenberg.netTitle: The Essays of Montaigne, Volume 17Author: Michel de MontaigneRelease Date: September 17, 2006 [EBook #3597]Language: English*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ESSAYS OF MONTAIGNE, VOLUME 17 ***Produced by David WidgerESSAYS OF MICHEL DE MONTAIGNETranslated by Charles CottonEdited by William Carew Hazilitt1877CONTENTS OF VOLUME 17.IX. Of VanityCHAPTER IXOF VANITYThere is, peradventure, no more manifest vanity than to write of it so vainly. That which divinity has so divinelyexpressed to us—["Vanity of vanities: all is vanity."—Eccles., i. 2.]—ought to be carefully and continually meditatedby men of understanding. Who does not see that I have taken a road, in which, incessantly and without labour, I shallproceed so long as there shall be ink and paper in the world? I can give no account of my life by my actions; fortunehas placed them too low: I must do it by my fancies. And yet I have seen a gentleman who only communicated his lifeby the workings of his belly: you might see on his premises a show of a row of basins of seven or eight days'standing; it was his study, his discourse; all other talk stank in ...