And powerfully his greater lyrics seduced the mind of the public from the contemplation of divinity to the enjoyment of earthly beauty.
The same intensification of the contrast between the two spirits is seen in comparing Montaigne with Rabelais.

It is true that Rabelais ridiculed all positive religion, but nevertheless it fascinated him.
His theological learning is remarkable.

But Montaigne ignored religion as far as possible.

[Sidenote: Montaigne's aloofness] Nourished from his earliest youth on the great classical writers, he had no interest apart from "the kingdom of man." He preferred to remain in the old faith because that course caused him the least trouble.

He had no sympathy with the Protestants, but he did not hate them, as did Ronsard.