MORAIS, Pedro José Supico de
Collecção política de apothegmas, ou ditos agudos, e sentenciosos
Collecção moral de apothegmas ou ditos agudos, e sentenciosos
Coimbra, Francisco de Oliveira, 1761
2 volumes, large 8vo, half leather binding, red title pieces, [viii] + 462 + [viii] + 464 pp.; nice copy, spines rubbed, small piece missing from red label vol 1
Third edition of this work, originally published in 1720 with a second edition in 1732. Conceived by the author as a repository of sharp and sententious sayings that served, to those who frequented higher social circles, to beautify and make conversation more interesting, or as the author says in the prologue: “to make a learned conversation plausible”. It contains sayings of many historical characters from the ancient world and Europe, Portuguese kings and nobles. It is considered to be a work of reference for the study of the customs and mentality of the aristocracy during the period of the Ancien Régime. It is also important for the study of baroque poetry and the diffusion of classical literature in Portugal. Very little is known about the author Pedro José Supico de Morais. He was a young man in the council of King D. João V and Infante D. Francisco. Some authors say that he was born in Lisbon, however Supico de Morais mentions several people from his family that are all connected to the district of Bragança, such as his uncle Father José Supico. Rare and interesting item in very nice condition.
