A Tang dynasty poet, and one of the first poets whose work was printed, he freely describes his own loves and dislikes, successes and failures. Like Epicurus, he favored pleasure and friendship over asceticism and solitude. In addition, he greatly appreciated beauty, whether in a splendid full moon appreciated with friends sharing a jug of wine, or the passing blossoms of spring. Like Montaigne, his is a voice from very long ago that always feels fresh and contemporary.