Bernard Mandeville: Vice, Virtue, and Liberty

Guide to the Readings

Edition used:

• The Fable of the Bees or Private Vices, Publick Benefits, 2 vols. With a Commentary Critical, Historical, and Explanatory by F.B. Kaye (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1988).

See also:

• Topic: Spontaneous Order
• School of Thought: Pre-Smithian Economists

Tips on How To use the Online Library of Liberty.

For additional reading see:

• Bernard de Mandeville

Session I: Private Vices, Public Benefits.

Bernard Mandeville’s The Fable of the Bees, vol. 1

• The Preface, pp. 3–16
• The Grumbling Hive: OR, Knaves Turn’d Honest, and The Moral pp. 17-37
• A Vindication of the Book, From the Aspersions Contain’d In a Presentment of the Grand Jury of Middlesex, and an Abusive Letter to Lord C. A, pp. 381–412.

Session II: Self-deceit and its Remedy.

The Fable of the Bees, vol. 1

• “An Essay on Charity, and Charity-schools,” pp. 253–323

Session III: Hypocrisy and Self-liking.

The Fable of the Bees, vol. 2

• The Third Dialogue Between Horatio and Cleomenes, pp. 100–147

Session IV: The Economy and Liberty.

The Female Tatler, Numbers 62, 64, 66, pages 96–112 - not available online

The Fable of the Bees, vol. 1

• “Remarks I to P,” pp. 100–181.

Session V: The Economy and Liberty – A Satire.

• A Modest Defence of Public Stews, pages 1–50 - not available online

Session VI: Liberty and Virtue.

• Free Thoughts on Religion, the Church and National Happiness, pages 330—364 - not available online
• A Treatise on the Hypochondriack and Hysterick Passions, pages 34–44 and 172–178 - not available online