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Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Bernard Mandeville

Bernard de Mandeville was born in November 1670, in Rotterdam, Neth and later on died on the 21^st of Jan 1733 in London. He was a Dutch writer and philosopher who won European fame with his piece Fable of the bees.

Mandeville came from a distinguishing family of medical practitioners. This later influences his career choice in medicine. Both his father and grandfather were medical practitioners.

Other than just his medical profession, he engaged in much literary work. His political interests were not directly obvious until 1714. His interest in this was depicted in his published piece The Mischiefs that Ought Justly to be Apprehended from a Whig-Government. 

1.The 1714 edition The Fable of the Bees, is regarded as of Mandeville’s most important

The Fable of the Bees, 1924 edition, photo by BEIC digital library.

Mandeville`s work the The Fable of the Bees, is regarded as the most important one yet. This piece was a response to the notion on the usefulness of vices. He was of the view that though the motives of ones actions may be virtues the result would be social beneficial to all.

Mandeville is primarily remembered for his impact on discussions of morality and economic theory in the early 18^th century.

His work however received criticism from various scholars from around the world. Despite these critics, The Fable overall influence on the fields of ethics and economics is regarded as, one of the greatest and most provocative.

2.Mandeville was born from a distinguishing family in Netherlands

Mandeville was born in 1670 to a distinguished family in the Netherlands. It’s not certain whether he was born in or nearby Rotterdam. He came from a family of medical practitioners.

His father was believed to be a physician, as well his great-grandfather. This factor most definitely influenced his decision to studying and practicing medicine. He took up the medical course at the University of Leyden. After completion of the course he received his MD in 1691.

He greatly succeeded in learning the profession in England. Other than his medical profession he also studied philosophy. His dissertation was based on the Cartesian doctrine. He defended the doctrine that animals are merely automata because they lacked immaterial souls.

3.Mandeville`s published work

One of his earliest publications was the 1705, The Grumbling Hive Mandeville. The poem described a bee community thriving until the bees are suddenly made honest and virtuous.

The poem was later republished in the year 1714 and titled the Fable of the Bees. The book had been primarily been written as a political satire on the state of England.

Later on in 1723 a later edition, an essay on Charity school and A Search into the nature of society. The previous essay criticized charity schools.

Mandeville`s view was that education does not add virtue because he believed that evil did not only exist in the poor but also the rich. He was also of the view that education only increased the desired of the poor.

4.Mandeville also made verse engagements in Literary-political work

Other than just his medical profession, he engaged in much literary work. His political interests were not directly obvious until 1714. His interest in this was depicted in his published piece The Mischiefs that Ought Justly to be Apprehended from a Whig-Government.  

His ideas demonstrated his support for the Whig party. His final political-literary work was titled Free Thoughts on Religion. Throughout his life, he published numerous smaller works and essays, most of them containing harsh social criticism.

5.Mandeville`s Influence on Economic Theory

In the 18^th century during the forefront of economic discussions he made several defence of luxury stands. Despite the fact the he believed that a state founded on selfishness was corrupt, he was also of the view that development would not be achieved easily without selfishness and luxury.

His argument was that luxury was harmless to social and economic prosperity. The only way to achieve social, political and economic growth was through luxury.

His view was not parallel to Christian teachings as well as earlier republican political theory. These two theories were of the view that luxury rendered the population important and corrupt. 

6.Works done by Mandeville

Bambi’s Children book cover, photo by abebooks .

Bernard has both written and criticized several theories. He had several work written by him. Bernandi a Mandeville de Medicina Oratorio Scholastica. Rotterdam: Typis Regneri Leers, 1685, Disputatio Philosophica de Brutorum Operationibus. Leyden: Apud Abrahamum Elzevier, Academiae Typograph, 1689, Disputatio Medica Inauguralis de Chylosi Vitiata. Leyden: Apud Abrahamum Elzevier, Academiae Typograph, of 1691.

He also published, The Pamphleteers: A Satyr. London, 1703, Some Fables after the Easie and Familiar Method of Monsieur de la Fontaine. London, 1703, Aesop Dress’d; or a Collection of Fables Writ in Familiar Verse. By B. Mandeville,

M.D. London: Printed for Richard Wellington, 1704 and Typhon: or The Wars Between the Gods and Giants; A Burlesque Poem in Imitation of the Comical Mons. Scarron. London: Printed for J. Pero & S. Illidge, and sold by J. Nutt, 1704.

7.Mandeville’s provocative piece on legalizing and creating public housing for prostitute

Mandeville has written provocative pieces but the one than caught so many eyes was the Modest Defence of Publick Stews1724. This piece was controversial in that he proposed the creation of public housing for prostitutes. His argument was based on legalizing prostitution.

His views were that it should not be illegal but should be strictly regulated by the government. His piece caught so many eyes as prostitution was seen as a vice in the society that so it being illegal. His advice that it be legalized and housing provided for them.

8.Bernard Mandeville sparked controversies with his view in the piece Fable

Mandeville never shied away from difficult conversations as is depicted in some of his work that sparked controversies. He had previously written a piece on legalizing prostitution and even suggested that they should be provided with housing from the national government.

His other piece that brought controversies was his piece titled Fables. He proposed that vanity and greed would result into development. Capitalism was his solution in to greater developments of the state.

He was a critic of moral systems that claimed humans had natural feelings of benevolence. He proposed for a shift from that notion to self-interest that would lead to development.

9.Bernard Mandeville`s view on division of labour

Mandeville`s work on division of labour had has been that attracted other scholars like Adams Smith who was a political economist. Adams quoted his work. Mandeville view was that collective contributions towards building something would be better than individual efforts made to build the same thing.

He stated that “ But if one will wholly apply himself to the making of Bows and Arrows, whilst another provides Food, a third builds Huts, a fourth makes Garments, and a fifth Utensils, they not only become useful to one another. He pushed for division of labour.

10.Other than Mandeville’s medical career, he took up a course in English language

Photo by Thought Catalog on

Other than Mandeville’s medical interest he set out to learn the English language. He left for England to study English and practice medicine. He had a successful practice in England despite the fact that he was a foreigner.

He was successful in his writing career from his provocative pieces. He has written several pieces that have steered conversation. His piece, The Fables of Bees is regarded as the most important one yet.

He has also written pieces that suggest the legalization of prostitution. He even further proposed that housing should be provided for them. This piece provoked several conversations on the issue.

Bernard Mandeville writing career was a successful one from this pieces that steered conversation. He was not one to shy away from different conversations.