early works to 1800

A collection of unfinished notes and essays that the seventeenth-century author felt could be used as a defense for Christian beliefs.

Contains brief passages that express the key ideas of former Roman slave and Stoic philosopher Epictetus regarding goodness, happiness, moral courage, and inner serenity.

A series of meditations written by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius in which he contemplates life, death, and duty, as they relate to his belief in the Stoic principles of moderation and virtuous conduct based on right reason.

Presents sixth-century philosopher Sun Tzu's thoughts on war, in which he discusses the laying of plans, the actual waging of war, and the value of negotiation.

Presents an unabridged translation of Plato's examination of the nature of justice, the nature of the ideal state and other topics such as imitative poetry in this philosophical work depicting a dialogue between Socrates--representing Plato--and several other thinkers.

Presents eighteenth-century political philosopher Thomas Paine's treatises "Common Sense" and "Rights of Man" and selections from "The Crisis, " "The Age of Reason, " and "Agrarian Justice, " and provides a further reading list.

Presents Bacon's philosophical writings on nature.

Treatise on political power, statecraft, and the qualities of the ideal ruler.