An essay is listening, from beside them, to one person thinking alone. Good prose does not persuade the reader. It keeps the reader company. Three descend. Open to any page and read. These books do not demand an order. 1. Essays, Michel de Montaigne — What do I know, he asked, and the question has lasted four hundred years. 2. Walden, Henry David Thoreau — Two years written beside a pond are still read in cities. 3. Musoyu (Non-Possession), Beopjeong — The story of giving away a single orchid leaves the longest echo. Socrates wrote nothing. His students wrote down what he said.

LOREVIVA 206

Question:“On essays”

On essays

An essay is listening, from beside them, to one person thinking alone. Good prose does not persuade the reader. It keeps the reader company.

Three descend. Open to any page and read. These books do not demand an order.

Essays, Michel de MontaigneWhat do I know, he asked, and the question has lasted four hundred years.
Walden, Henry David ThoreauTwo years written beside a pond are still read in cities.
Musoyu (Non-Possession), BeopjeongThe story of giving away a single orchid leaves the longest echo.

Socrates wrote nothing. His students wrote down what he said.