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Rating: 
Summary: Philosophy for everyman
Review: A wonderful book that introduces ethical philosophy to the non-philosopher. Although the author does not delve into the nuances of ethics and their nature, he does provide clear and thorough discussions of the major virtues.Although one can disagree with the choice of what he considers the "great virtues", it is difficult to disagree with his premise. There are insights and nuances one picks up throughout the book ... especially during the second and third reading. A delightful book that can serve as a guide to moral living and for the development of a modern code of ethics.
Rating: 
Summary: Wow
Review: For people who read De Botton's "Consolation of Philosophy" this book would be so similar to it but in fact this one is at least ten times better!
It is a collection of Essays on 'all' virtues.
It is rich with smart comments by the author who was inspired by small philosophies of people like Aristotle, Spinoza etc... Truly, this book is a must have and before you have it make sure you have a highlighter or a large notebook as there's plenty you never ever heard before! Enjoy. ( I am jelaous of you for not being able to read this book again for the first time ) :)
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: For people who read De Botton's "Consolation of Philosophy" this book would be so similar to it but in fact this one is at least ten times better!
It is a collection of Essays on 'all' virtues.
It is rich with smart comments by the author who was inspired by small philosophies of people like Aristotle, Spinoza etc... Truly, this book is a must have and before you have it make sure you have a highlighter or a large notebook as there's plenty you never ever heard before! Enjoy. ( I am jelaous of you for not being able to read this book again for the first time ) :)
Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous
Review: I have just recently become interested in philosophy and wanted something not too in depth, yet intellectually stimulating. This book was particularly good for me because it didn't go into much detail about the foundations of the concepts discussed, it just gave an in-depth applicable discussion on 11 or so important virtues in life. I found the frequent references to other philosophers helpful as well because I am new to the subject and now am familiar with the basic ideas of different philosophers.
Rating:
Summary: A fresh outlook on western values and civilization
Review: I have read the book in French and attended various meetings/panel discussions where the book was discussed. Look forward to the English edition. The author's motivation and approach are quite interesting. Motivation: He once made a statement to the effect that "now that places of prayer are empty and supermarkets are full, I wanted to find out whether western society has still something worth living for" (I am quoting from memory). Approach: A book of practical philosophy. The book addresses both points brilliantly. It brushes up all "Virtues" that made mankind more human. It builds up crescendo from small virtues like politeness to love "Agape". All his arguments are written clearly and are well referenced. He uses a charming sometimes quite humoristic style, which makes this book quite pleasant to read. Each chapter covers one virtue and they are all well constructed and linked together. I find the chapter on what makes humor a virtue quite interesting and rather surprising particularly as it comes towards the end, just before love. Definitely a good book to have in every home if we agree with the author's motivations.
Rating:
Summary: If I was only allowed one book, the Small Treaty would be it
Review: I've read the book in French. Compte Sponville has set himself the simplest and most challenging goal of all. He wishes to help us live. In simple words, he analyses brilliantly the traditional virtues. Food for thought. Daily philosophy. Many thanks !
Rating: 
Summary: overwhelmed
Review: It's hard to believe people once discussed philosophy. The stuff today seems so dense and esoteric -- who would bother? Readers of Comte-Spone Sponville will want to bother. "A Small Treatise" brings philosophy to where it belongs: back to the question of how should one live? This is not "Chicken Soup for the Intellectual's Soul" nor it is a dull, moralizing tract lamenting the good old days. Comte-Sponville examines the qualities we call virtue -- from Politeness to Love -- and brings fascinating insight to each. For instance, he discusses how parents first teach their children to "act" virtuous rather than "be" virtuous. His thoughts about mercy, justice, and courage, are almost invigorating to read. Comte-Sponville's style and candor are engaging. It's clear he's not a traditional moralist, but he's certainly not a moral relativist either. He has a good sense of his own foibles and writes quite interestingly about his experience trying to teach virtue within his family. Who should read this? Everyone.
Rating:
Summary: A thinking man's self-help book
Review: This book is apparently very popular in France and continental Europe. It deserves equal success in North America. It is a collection of essays that explore 18 virtues. Love, Politeness, Fidelity, Tolerance, Humor among them and drws his, very readable and humorous, analysis from his own experience and from the great philosophers of all time ranging from Aristotle to Aquinas, Kant, Nietzche and Rielke to mention a few from memory. The virtues are also arranged according to an order. He starst with politeness, which he considers to be almost a virtue, to Love, the ultimate virtue. In many ways I was reminded of Alain de Botton's excellent Consolations of Philosophy. Indeed, it is equally good but interestingly different. Read them both. Also a warning to those who seek absolute truths: There aren't any to be found here, and that's part of the charm and its appeal to free-thinkers.
Rating:
Summary: Life transforming
Review: This is a remarkable book. We have stopped asking the question "How should we live" except in religious contexts and in looking at tough intractible problems. This book steps back and looks at what 2400 years of thinking has lead us to believe about the right way to behave. Why be polite? What is loyalty? What is courage? The price of the book is worth it for the last chapter alone, which talks about the virtue of love.
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