Comparing Montaigne And Emerson's Essay

Montaigne and Emerson both wrote philosophies that introduced their perspectives on friendship. The main topic that both philosophers explore in their essays is how friendship can influence a person’s growth. Although both philosophers analyze the effects of friendship, they present their arguments differently.
“Is it not that the soul puts forth friends as the tree puts forth friends as the tree puts forth leaves, and presently, by the germination of new buds, extrudes the old leaf” (Emerson 223)? Emerson presents the concept of friendship as a tree where the soul of a person is the foundation and the leaves represent friends old and new. By presenting friendship this way, Emerson creates imagery for the reader of blossoming friendships, friends that will always stay, and friendships dying out. He also talks about how “the soul environs itself with friends that it may enter into grander self-acquaintance or solitude” (Emerson 223). THis can reflect back to the tree analogy because in winter, the tree has no leaves but will soon regrow them and leaves like a person will flourish with friends. Emerson took into consideration the tree as a whole and how it can represent a person’s relationship with their friends.
Montaigne stated, “one could give to the other, it would be the one who received the benefit who would oblige his friend,” (Montaigne 194). Montaigne explains that one receives benefits from a friend because he provides it. This is more of a cyclical friendship because both friends in the relationship give and receive benefits. Emerson takes a different approach and focuses on what a man’s soul can give to his friend. In Emerson’s perspective, the man doesn’t expect anything in return and gives to his friends. In Montaigne’s perspective, a man expects benefits from the