Highly-renowned German mathematician and philosopher (1646–1716). Unsigned handwritten manuscript on a 6.75 x 6.5 sheet. Leibniz pens five lines of philosophical verse; the first two are in Latin, and read (translated): “O miserable ones whom these things await! May the lofty spaces of heaven receive us then and preserve us safe from disturbance.” The last three lines are in French, in full (translated): “The true charm of good princes is the love of the court and provinces.” The reverse is addressed in another hand in French to “Monsieur de Leibnik,” and retains all of its black wax seal. In very good condition, with intersecting folds, some scattered toning and staining, and a small repair to an area of paper loss along the lower right side. Leibniz wrote relatively frequently on the concept of misery, especially in relation to his central theory of optimism—that is, this universe is the best possible one that God could have created. An intriguing example of Leibniz’s philosophical mind at work. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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