Why did Michel de Montaigne value travel and conversations with friends?

Michel de Montaigne valued travel and conversations with friends as essential components of his engagement with the world, which he balanced against the need for a private, reflective "back room" of the self.12

He viewed this interaction as a necessary "coming and going" between his internal identity and the external world. By engaging with others, Montaigne believed one could learn much that is useful, gain new perspectives, and avoid the dangers of unexamined, externally imposed notions.12

Specifically, he advocated for:
* Travel: Driven by his natural curiosity, he sought to observe the details of daily life, geography, and regional idiosyncrasies, which also fostered his sense of cultural relativism and tolerance.132
* Conversations: He valued exchanges with men of discernment and wit, viewing them as a way to broaden his understanding and test his own thoughts.12

Ultimately, these interactions served as a practical application of his philosophy, favoring concrete experience over abstract learning and helping him maintain his independence and integrity while remaining connected to the human condition.12