Principes de la philosophie moral
Principes de la philosophie morale. ou essai de M. S...sur le mérite et la vertu. Avec réflexions.
Amsterdam: chez Zacherie Chatelain, 1745.
First edition. xxx, 297, [1, blank], [10, tables des matières, errata] pp. With title-vignette, two engraved frontispieces (one for each part), and two head-pieces by Fessard after Durand.
Citron morocco, gilt back with raised bands, gilt triple-rule border on sides with gilt stamped floral ornament in corners, inner gilt-dentelles, all edges gilt. Lower cover slightly discolored, otherwise a beautiful copy. Housed in a custom brown cloth clamshell.
"Rather a paraphrase than a translation of Lord Shaftesbury's An Inquiry Concerning Virtue and Merit. Yet it is a very important work, indeed, for the growth and development of his thought. It was Diderot who furnished the Réflexions in a preliminary discours and lengthy footnotes to which students of Diderot now turn for precious indications of the unfolding of his ideas...It will be noticed that the French version is anonymous, neither Shaftesbury's name nor that of the translator was mentioned. The reason was that there was some danger involved in presenting to the French public a work that declared so boldly for the existence of a natural morality independant of any particular religion or church" (Arthur M. Wilson, Diderot, p. 50).
Tchemerzine-Scheler, II, p. 916. Thomas, A checklist of major French authors in Oxford libraries, 1526-1800, p. 47.
HBS 66927.
$5,000.
Price: $5,000.00
Item #66927