Plutarcus - Les Oeuvres Morales de Plutarque [Moralia / Ἠθικά / Ethiká] - 1587

DESCRIPTION: I present at auction a precious exemplar in excellent condition of the "OEUVRES MORALES DE PLUTARQUE (Moralia of Plutarch)", a true masterpiece by the Greco-Roman writer PLUTARCH of Chaeroness (50 - 120 A.D.). It is a collection of texts in which the author teaches us how to approach the most varied and everyday matters (choosing a wife, educating children, how to take care of health, etc.), but also the deepest and loftiest: ethics, religion, philosophy, literature, etc.

This magnificent book comprises 44 independent and complete treatises in 996 pages and, with separate numbering, the treatise "La fortune et vertu d'Alexandre (On the Fortune and Virtue of Alexander / De Alexandri Magni fortuna aut virtute)" in 178 pages, a work in which Plutarch complements the famous biography of Alexander the Great included in his "Lives" with an analysis whose central thesis is that Alexander the Great conquered his vast empire thanks to his own virtue, prudence and philosophy, and not by mere luck or chance. In the photography section I include the complete index of the 44 treatises that make up the book.

The text of our copy is the masterful translation of the Moralia directly from Greek by the legendary humanist Jacques Amyot (1513 - 1593), whose literary value shaped Renaissance French prose. Our copy is illustrated with an enigmatic engraving on the cover and with a beautiful heraldic ex-libris engraved.

The "Obras Morales" (Moralia) constitute one of the summits of universal humanist thought. They collect essays and dialogues fundamental to human conduct, virtues and practical wisdom, including famous treatises such as, for example:

+ "Comment il faut nourrir les enfans" (How to educate children).

+ "Comment on pourra discerner le flatteur d'avec l'ami" (How to distinguish the flatterer from a friend).

+ "Les préceptes du mariage" (The precepts of marriage).

+ "Instruction pour ceux qui manient les affaires d'état" (Instructions for those who handle state affairs).

+ "Les règles et préceptes de Santé" (The rules and precepts of Health)

+ "La Superstition" (On Superstition)

+ "Le banquet des sept sages" (The Banquet of the Seven Sages): A work in the style of Plato’s banquet, where the Seven Sages of Greece (Thales of Miletus, Solon of Athens, Pittacus of Mytilene, Bias of Priene, Cleobulus of Lindos, Crates of Sparta, and Periander of Corinth) converse on a wide range of topics among themselves and with other diners.

The great humanists of the 16th century, such as ERASMUS OF ROTTERDAM or MICHEL DE MONTAIGNE (author of the Essais) were greatly inspired by this work to compose theirs.

YEAR AND PLACE OF PUBLICATION: Paris, 1587. Chez Sebastien Molin. A rarissima edition that I have found no catalogued copies of. A unique copy?

LANGUAGE: French (Classical translation from Greek).

SIZE AND PAGINATION: Dimensions: 18 x 11.5 cm. Pagination: Cover + (80pp) + 996pp + 178pp. VOLUME 1 (of 2) COMPLETE (See index of the 44 TREATISES COMPLETE and independent within the extensive photographic report illustrating the advertisement).

CONDITION: Elegant half-leather binding, in very good condition, as shown in the photos. Spine with four raised bands decorated with golden vegetal motifs and the author’s name and the work’s title in gold. Marbleized edges.

The interior is in very good condition, as shown in the photos. GOOD COPY

THE IMMORTAL WORK OF PLUTARCH IN A BEAUTIFUL 16TH-CENTURY EDITION. DO NOT LET IT SLIP.

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