Œuvres diverses
“Voltaire reads Locke in the French version”; “D’Alembert read Locke”; “Montesquieu owned the Miscellaneous Works of Locke, 1710”.
Rare first French edition of this collection of Locke's texts which would inspire the writings of Voltaire, Diderot, D’Alembert, and Montesquieu.
A precious copy preserved in its contemporary red morocco binding with royal arms.
12mo of (4) ff., XCIX, (1) p., 468 pp.
Full red morocco, triple gilt fillet framing the covers, gilt-stamped coat of arms in the center, spine with raised bands adorned with a crowned monogram and gilt florets, decorated edges, gilt inner roll, mottled edges. Contemporary binding.
157 X 96 mm.
Locke, John. Miscellaneous Works.
Rotterdam, Fritsch and Bohm, 1710.
Rare first French edition of this collection of John Locke’s texts that would inspire the writings of Voltaire, Diderot, D’Alembert, and Montesquieu.
Precious copy from the Royal Works of King Louis XV.
The volume contains the Letter on Toleration, Of the Conduct of the Understanding in the Search for Truth, the Discourse on Miracles, the New Method of Making Commonplace Books, and the Memoirs to Serve as a Life of Anthony Ashley, Earl of Shaftesbury and Lord Chancellor of England under Charles II.
“Voltaire reads Locke in the French edition” (G. D. Bonno and F. Alquié).
“Voltaire read Locke, to whom he pays homage at least three times in his treatise; a tribute that partly reflects adherence to certain ideas of Locke” (Pierre Lurbe).
The obstacle of the English language prevents most French readers from knowing Locke’s works. Wider dissemination required the assistance of a translator.
The philosopher’s master work was brought to attention with the 1710 publication, in Miscellaneous Works translated by Leclerc, of a piece found among Locke’s papers: the fragment entitled in English Of the Conduct of Understanding and, in Leclerc’s translation, The Conduct of the Human Mind in the Search for Truth.
“Locke never ceased, as R. Polin remarked, ‘to reflect on man, to be concerned with his nature and his fate.’ From the very beginning of his meditations, Locke was guided by an ethical concern and aimed to shed light on the ways capable of determining truly human moral behaviors. For man to become truly human, according to Locke, is to be capable of aspiring to happiness and peace and to strive to construct the means by which to attain this goal.
Generally speaking, happiness is one of Locke’s constant preoccupations and, in this sense, he already stands out as an eighteenth-century philosopher” (S. Goyard-Fabre).
“D’Alembert read Locke and revisits the distinction established in the ‘Essay concerning Human Understanding’” (V. Le Ru).
“Montesquieu owned Locke’s Miscellaneous Works, 1710.”
Beautiful and precious copy preserved in its contemporary red morocco binding bearing the royal arms.
