Book 2 of Essays : Chapter 5 Summary and Analysis

Book 2 - Essays 2 begins on page 239. The first essay is three-pages long, making it one of the longer ones. Montaigne writes of vices. "But although they are equally vices, they are not equal vices" (p.244). This is ample so-called food for thought for many readers. Not surprisingly, the essays in this second book are simply numbered. They are generally ordered by their date. The first are from 1572. Item #8 however, is from 1578. This one is about the Affection of fathers for their Children. Within this essay, he also acknowledges the maternal affections. He writes that parental affections and a good example are invaluable to people to enable them to lead good lives.

Here, the author's use of famous people from the great trail of history shows. He has included a brief piece of verse: "In my...