CALLIERES, François de - De la Science du Monde, et des conn - Lot 479

CALLIERES, François de - De la Science du Monde, et des connaissances utiles à la conduite de la vie. Paris, Etienne Ganeau, 1717. In-12, (10) ff, 310 pp, (3) ff, marbled fawn half-calf, smooth spine decorated with gilt thread. First edition. The author (1645-1717) was a skilled diplomat, minister plenipotentiary during the negotiations for the Peace of Riswyck, secretary of state and member of the Académie Française (1689). A sought-after grammarian of the most distinguished society, he wrote Du bon et du mauvais usage dans les manières de s'exprimer (1693), which remains a good testimony to the taste for beautiful language of Louis XIV's courtiers, as opposed to the "manières de parler bourgeoises". In La Science du Monde, in the form of conversations between a Commandeur, a Duc and a Marquise, the author sets out reflections on the conduct of life, particularly that of the great. Imbued with a certain pessimism, it seems to him that vices and evil passions, as well as virtues, are indifferent to each other, forming the basis of human nature, which judicious habits acquired early on, like the training of animals, can steer in the direction of good.