- Michel de Montaigne discusses fear in his essay, noting that fear often causes people to misperceive things and lose control over their actions.
- While fear was once seen as something that controlled people, modern society now sees fear and the thrill/adrenaline it brings as something that can be enjoyed.
- Montaigne believed that being most fearful of fear itself was the wisest approach, as fear distorts one's perceptions and can override reason.