Pensees Morales de Confucius, Recueillies et Traduites du Latin.
Paris: Chez Didot, l'aine et Debure, l'aine, 1782. Printed just before the French Revolution, this translation of Confucius from Latin to French retains its original marbled stiff paper wrappers. In the 1780s Chinese thought was of great interest to Enlightenment thinkers and was a catalyst for changing the existing political structure. Denis Diderot the co founder, chief editor, and contributor to the Encyclopedie admired Confucian ethics, while other Enlightenment luminaries appreciated the merging of ethics and politics in the Confucian system.
Pierre Charles Levesque (1736 - 1812) the translator of this work, was a French historian and professor noted for his 'Histoire de Russie'; Levesque traveled to Russia on the recommendation of his friend Diderot, and taught at the Ecole des Cadets de St Petersbourg.
Divided into two sections, titled "De La Philosophie des Chinois" and "Vie de Confucius". 32mo (2 3/4 x 5"), 175pp. Neat previous owner name, R.M. Hunt, to ffep. OCLC: 457966997 records three copies. Very good + condition. Item #22159
Price: $175.00