Confucius | [Anonyme] [les Père Couplet, Herdtrich, Intorcetta et Rougemont] [Simon Foucher et, - La Morale de Confucius, Philosophe de la Chine. Suivi de : Lettre sur la Morale de Confucius, - 1688

[Anonymous] [Father Couplet, Herdtrich, Intorcetta and Rougemont] [Simon Foucher and, perhaps, the journalist Jean de Labrune] [China | Chine]

The Morality of Confucius, Philosopher of China.

In Amsterdam, at Pierre Savouret's; in Kalver-Straat, 1688

(20)-100 pages

Follow-up on:

Letter on the Morality of Confucius, Philosopher of China.

In Paris, at Daniel Horthemels, rue S. Jacques, at Moecenas, 1688

(2)-29-(1) pages

2 works bound in 1 small octavo volume (161 x 105 mm | margin height: 154 mm).

A contemporary full calf binding in mottled fawn, spine with gilt tooling, red morocco title label, red speckled edges, marbled endpapers. The binding is sound but shows some wear and loss of leather at the headcaps and corners, a small piece of leather missing along the joint on the upper board, and split leather at the joints. Nevertheless, the binding is sound and deserves a quality restoration (this copy has not undergone any restoration to date). The interior is fresh (a slight, insignificant dampstain in the upper inner margin at the end of the volume). Complete collated. The errata sheet, which lists the errors to be corrected and should have been after page 100, is missing (this sheet was never bound into our copy). The errors listed are present in our copy.

Very rare first edition in French of the Ethics of Confucius.

This small book is considered the first work to have introduced Confucianism to France and more generally to the Western world.

In 1687, the Jesuit fathers Couplet, Herdtrich, Intorcetta, and Rougemont published Confucius Sinarum philosophus in Paris. A large folio volume, in Latin, it was a reference work for intellectuals, but not very practical for the general public, who might have wanted to discover Confucius in French at a lower cost. Two Latin-French translator-compiler-commentators worked on it and published two pamphlets the following year: Canon Simon Foucher and, perhaps, the journalist Jean de Labrune. Unless it was President Cousin, some say. Or Father Couplet himself, others say. The author's name seems to have been less important than making Confucius and an idea of his morality accessible in French for the first time.

"Here we will see essays on morality, which are masterpieces. Everything in them is sound, because right reason, that inner truth which resides in the soul of all men, and which our philosopher constantly consulted without prejudice, guided all his words. Thus, the rules he gives, and the duties to which he exhorts, are such that there is no one who does not feel immediately inclined to give them their approval. There is nothing false in his reasoning, nothing extreme, none of those appalling subtleties that one sees in the moral treatises of most metaphysicians today." (excerpt)

"One can judge how much the public owes to Fathers Intorcetta and Couplet, Jesuits, who translated, from Chinese into Latin, the three books of Confucius, from which we have drawn this moral treatise that is now appearing. We have chosen the most important points and have omitted several which, although good in themselves and especially in keeping with the spirit of the people for whom they were said and written, might have seemed too vulgar and of little importance in our Europe. And since in the work of Fathers Intorcetta and Couplet, in addition to the moral teachings of Confucius, there is discussion of the origin of the Chinese nation and the oldest books that this nation possesses, which appeared several centuries before that of Confucius, we have translated on this subject what is most essential to know." (excerpt)

The volume begins with a lengthy 18-page foreword.

"The work presented to the public, containing in abridged form the entire moral philosophy of Confucius, the Chinese philosopher, is rather small in terms of its page count; but it is undoubtedly very large in terms of the importance of its contents. One can say that this philosopher's morality is infinitely sublime, yet at the same time simple, perceptive, and drawn from the purest sources of natural reason. Assuredly, reason, stripped of the light of divine revelation, has never appeared so developed, nor with such force. Since there is no duty that Confucius does not address, there is none that he exceeds. He thoroughly develops his morality, but he does not push it further than necessary, his judgment always showing him how far to go and where to stop." (beginning of the Foreword)

The work is then divided into three parts: Part One: On the Antiquity and Philosophy of the Chinese. Part Two: A Collection of the Works of Confucius (First, Second, and Third Books of Confucius). This is followed by Maxims taken from the Books of Confucius (80 maxims).

Following this first work, the Letter on the Ethics of Confucius, addressed to Daniel Horthemels in Paris in the same year, 1688, was bound in at the time. At the end, one finds the date January 23, 1688, in Paris, signed with the printed initials S. F***. The approval is signed by Cousin and De la Reynie (May 1688). The last page (verso of page 29) contains a Bookseller's Note explaining why this letter is included with the newly printed Ethics of Confucius from Amsterdam.

"The book of Confucius contains so many beautiful things, that it is like a garden where everyone can pick flowers at their leisure; and if one were to argue about whether the Rose is better than the Carnation, one would perhaps be quite embarrassed to decide this question." (Foreword to the Letter).

"The great secret," said Confucius, "to acquiring true knowledge, knowledge worthy of princes and the most illustrious figures, is to cultivate and refine reason, which is a gift we have received from heaven. Lust has corrupted it, and many impurities have become mingled within it. Remove these impurities so that it may regain its original luster and attain its full perfection. This is the supreme good. But that is not enough; a prince must also, through his exhortations and his own example, make his people into something like a new people. Finally, after having attained, through great care, this supreme perfection, this supreme good, one must not slacken; this is where perseverance is absolutely necessary." (excerpt)

"The gift I am giving you cannot fail to please you. You like good moral maxims: here are some of the best and most solid. If their origin could make them more significant, they would be so because of its remoteness. They are pearls or precious stones from China, and something of even greater value, because there is nothing comparable to the treasures of wisdom, as Scripture says. I could say the same thing regarding their antiquity, if truth were not timeless, and if one could think that these maxims, by being older, were also truer and more solid." (Simon Foucher, excerpt from the Letter).

Confucianism, founded by Confucius (born in 551 BCE and died in 479 BCE) in the 6th century BCE, is an ethical and political philosophy centered on social harmony and morality. It values concepts such as "ren" (benevolence) and "li" (rituals), which guide human interactions. Family hierarchy and respect for ancestors are central to this thought, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal relationships. Confucianism also offers an educational vision, advocating learning and self-cultivation as means of improving society. Influential in Asian culture, its principles have shaped social and political structures for centuries. Finally, it seeks to establish a just society through individual ethics and civic responsibility. The semi-historical, semi-legendary figure of Confucius is traced in his first biography from Shiji (史記 / 史记, Shǐjì), a work by the Chinese historian Sima Qian written from 109 to 91 BC, more than four centuries after his death.

Here are some quotes inspired by the thought of Confucius, translated into English: "He who moves a mountain begins by removing small stones." This quote emphasizes the importance of starting with small steps to achieve great goals. "The superior person is the one who does not seek personal advantage at the expense of others." It highlights the notion of ethics and responsibility towards others. "It is not enough to learn; one must also apply what one has learned." This reflection emphasizes the importance of action in learning. "Respect for ancestors is the foundation of morality." A quote that reminds us of the importance of family and traditions. "Do not do to others what you would not want done to you." This principle of reciprocity is at the heart of Confucian morality. These quotes reflect the ethics and wisdom of Confucius, focused on morality, human relationships, and learning.

A very good copy of this important work in the history of the spread of Confucianism in the Western world.

Accompanied by the Letter published on the same date, bound together at the time, a most rare collection.