Virtue, commerce and moderation in the `Tale of the Troglodytes': Montesquieu's Persian letters

The article examines the "Tale of the Troglodytes," which shows that Montesquieu's interest in moderate regime based on commerce can be traced back to the time of the writing of the "Persian Letters." It cites that Montesquieu's tale proposes that the practice of commerce could teach citizens the skill of practical politics. Moreover, it is noted that the first regime of such fable manifests criticism on the Hobbesian theory of man as intrinsically selfish, and it differs from the community based on the principles that men are naturally virtuous for they possess natural sense of justice and seek public good.