This collection investigates the intersection of moral virtue and political governance within the framework of 17th-century French absolutism. François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon, a prominent theologian and tutor to the French royal family, argues that the legitimacy of a ruler depends entirely on their commitment to the welfare of the governed. Through a series of treatises and letters, the author posits that true political stability is achieved only when the state aligns with Christian ethics and the principles of justice.

Scholars and historians identify this collection as a vital resource for understanding the intellectual opposition to the reign of Louis XIV. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a rigorous introduction to Fénelon's political philosophy.