Keep a back room of your own.

What it means

Have a wife, children and goods, Montaigne says, but not so tied to them that your happiness depends on them. Keep a private room in the mind where you are free. Go there daily.

The source

"Keep a back room of your own." Montaigne said it in Essays 1.39 (Of Solitude). Translated from the original French by Spartan Surfers.

"Il se faut reseruer vne arriere-boutique, toute nostre, toute franche"

Original French, Essays 1.39 (Of Solitude). Text read at gutenberg.org.

Who said it

Montaigne (1533–1592). French magistrate who retired to his tower library and invented the essay. His motto was a question: What do I know?

Questions

What does "Keep a back room of your own." mean?

Have a wife, children and goods, Montaigne says, but not so tied to them that your happiness depends on them. Keep a private room in the mind where you are free. Go there daily.

Who said "Keep a back room of your own."?

Montaigne (1533–1592). Source: Essays 1.39 (Of Solitude).

What is the original French?

Il se faut reseruer vne arriere-boutique, toute nostre, toute franche. Translated from the original French by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Keep a back room of your own." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Keep a back room of your own." (Montaigne, Essays 1.39 (Of Solitude), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/keep-a-back-room-of-your-own