The Courtiers Manual Oracle, Or, The Art of Prudence. Written Originally in Spanish By Baltazar Gracian. London: M. Flesher for Abel Swalle, 1685.
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FIRST EDITION in English of this very popular work which sets forward rules for the conduct of life. It was translated from the original Spanish into a significant number of different languages, including ten in Germany alone, one of which was prepared by Arthur Schopenhauer. Its structure reminds one of Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil, and is structured by aphorism number, in the case of the present work, numbering between one and three-hundred. Indeed, the work was an influence on both Nietzsche and Schopenhauer.
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Size: 115 x 183 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[A4, [a]8, [b]2, B-S8]
Contemporary full calf, rubbed with some losses to the leather, scuffs, shelf and edge wear. Both boards are attached, hinges cracked, with the backstrip partially separating from the page block. Several inscriptions to front pastedown, small ink inscription to head of title page. Quires I-L working loose but remain attached at the top, causing irregularity at the fore-edge. Text block toned, a few spots, some marginal worming, but legible throughout. Textually collates as complete, but without the two leaves of advertisements as usual.
[Wing G1468].
