CICERO (Marcus Tullius), *De Officiis*. - Lot 122

CICERO (Marcus Tullius), *De Officiis*. Translation with notes by M. de Barrett. The Latin text follows the edition by M. Lallemand. Fifth edition. Paris, Barbou, 1807. In-8, contemporary speckled full calf. A new edition of one of the foundational texts of ancient moral philosophy. Written by Cicero in the final months of his life, *De Officiis* remains the most famous work by the Roman orator and philosopher, a masterful synthesis of man’s duties toward himself, toward society, and toward the state. Inspired by Stoic doctrines, this treatise exerted a considerable influence on Western moral, political, and religious thought, from antiquity to the modern era. This edition presents the Latin text accompanied by M. de Barrett’s French translation and explanatory notes intended to facilitate the study of the work. Prepared in accordance with M. Lallemand’s edition, it follows in the tradition of classical works intended for the education and intellectual formation of the elites in the early 19th century. The Barbou editions hold an important place in the history of French publishing of ancient authors. Renowned for their typographical precision and their circulation in schools and libraries, they have contributed to the transmission of the great Latin texts to several generations of readers. This copy is preserved in its original full spotted calfskin binding. The binding is in good condition despite signs of wear and normal use, reflecting the book’s long history of regular consultation. A classic edition of one of the seminal texts of Western moral thought, whose influence spans from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment and beyond.