This essay from Montaigne seems like little more than an observation — that the stoic belief in extreme measures to deny earthly pleasures is like that of the Catholic church. In my original take on this essay, I thought Montaigne had advanced such an extreme proposition that he couldn’t possibly believe it. But I’m more inclined to take it at face value this time around.
The Donald Frame translation of the essay titles it “To Flee from Sensual Pleasures at the Cost of One’s Life.” But the modern French translation excludes the “sensual” adjective. It’s less colorful, but probably more accurate.
Unlike nearly every other essay, this one is not quotable. It comprises two anecdotes. In the first, Seneca advised Lucilius, a man of power and authority in the Emperor’s court, to withdraw from that life and follow a more solitary, intellectual path. And if he can’t handle this, he should commit suicide. Considering how long it took Seneca to break away from Nero — and to take his own life — there’s an air of hypocrisy to his firm stance.
The other anecdote, about St. Hilary and how he advised his daughter either to marry a man devoted to Godly pursuits or to take her own life, ends “happily” with a virtual double suicide of St. Hilary’s daughter and wife.
Montaigne’s attachment to suicide in the early essays is hard to take. He continually reminds readers that these suicides are “murder” and therefore contrary to God’s law, but he can’t help but show admiration for the pure stoicism of the act. I have to wonder if Montaigne, still deep in grief over Étienne de La Boétie, was seriously considering taking his life at this time. Then again, to be deeply versed in Classical literature is to come across the topic regularly.
Considering the position that Montaigne has already staked on not fearing death, this essay doesn’t look all that out of place. Also, it’s unnecessary for Montaigne to agree that death is a favorable outcome in these cases, because what he’s really getting at is the emptiness of lives of wealth and privilege, especially the kind taken up by people in the public eye. In that respect, one could interpret it as more of a critique of royalty than clergy.
But I also think Montaigne is using this essay to further justify his decision to seek solitude and retire to a writing life.
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