Abbe MABLY (Remarques de) – NICOCLES (Traduits du Grec par) - ENTRETIENS DE PHOCION, sur le Rapport de la Morale avec la Politique. Nouvelle Édition. A Amsterdam, 1767. In 12mo, XXXVI-248pp. The first edition was published in 1763. "Mably remains one of the most important social critics and moralizing utopians of the age of enlightenment [..]. In 1763 he published the Entretiens de Phocion. He saw in the passions the origin of all the evils of humanity; under their empire, one forgets the public interest and the virtue which reason commands to love [.]. Like Rousseau, like Helvetius, Mably saw in the multiplication of needs the cause of inequality and social passions. To open the path of virtue and happiness to men, morality must reduce their needs." (Hist. Général du socialisme I-p. 143-144). Period marbled calfskin binding, smooth spine nicely adorned with florets, garnet morocco leather title label; golden fillets on the cuts, marbled edges. Friction, signs of wear (nothing serious) on the corners (blunt), borders, spine and covers; inside: in good overall condition, endpapers with so-called "spiral" patterns, with some culs-de-lampe. Very nice copy, well preserved.