Since I had loved Mister de La Boétie above everything, and because he was, in my opinion, the greatest man of our times, I believe, it is my duty to honor his glorious name and to prevent his praiseworthy legacy from falling into oblivion. I will do no more than renewing the latter as well as bringing it back to life.

Montaigne to Monsieur des Mesmes,
April 30, 1570