The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits
The Fable of the Bees, or Private Vices, Public Benefits grew from a short satirical poem Bernard Mandeville published in 1705, The Grumbling Hive, which describes a prosperous beehive ruined when its members become honest. Mandeville added a prose commentary in 1714 and expanded the book over the following years, and this edition includes the Remarks on the poem, An Enquiry into the Origin of Moral Virtue, the Essay on Charity and Charity Schools, A Search into the Nature of Society, his Vindication against the Grand Jury of Middlesex, and the second part of 1729, six dialogues between Horatio and Cleomenes. His thesis that vanity and self-interest drive a flourishing economy scandalized his age and influenced Adam Smith. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
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Frequently asked questions about The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits
The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits by Bernard Mandeville can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits online?
Yes. The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits in the public domain?
Yes. The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits by Bernard Mandeville is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits?
About 15 h 23 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits?
The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits by Bernard Mandeville is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
