Etienne de la Boétie

Etienne de la Boétie

1530–1563

Nationality: French

Historical Period: The Renaissance and the Reformation

Estienne de la Boétie (1530-1563) was a friend of Montaigne and made a name for himself with his poetry and translations of ancient Greek authors. He is perhaps better known today for his essay “Discourse of Voluntary Servitude” where he explores why the majority too often willingly capitulates to the demands of a tiny ruling minority.

  • for an English translation of Boétie’s most famous essay, Discourse of Voluntary Servitude (1576) see the section Forgotten Gems in The Forum

Quotes from Etienne de la Boétie:

Titles from Etienne de la Boétie: