The Misanthrope Quotes

“Betrayed and wronged in everything,
I’ll flee this bitter world where vice is king,
And seek some spot unpeopled and apart
Where I’ll be free to have an honest heart.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“My hate is general, I detest all men;
Some because they are wicked and do evil,
Others because they tolerate the wicked,
Refusing them the active vigorous scorn
Which vice should stimulate in virtuous minds.”
― Moliere, The Misanthrope

“I have the defect of being more
sincere than persons wish.”
― Moliere, The Misanthrope

“I become quite melancholy and deeply grieved to see men behave to each other as they do. Everywhere I find nothing but base flattery, injustice , self-interest, deceit and roguery. I cannot bear it any longer; I'm furious; and my intention is to break with all mankind.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“Each day my reason tells me so; But reason doesn't rule in love, you know.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“There is nothing I detest so much as the contortions of these great time-and-lip servers, these affable dispensers of meaningless embraces, these obliging utterers of empty words, who view every one in civilities”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“We ought to punish pitilessly that shameful pretence of friendly intercourse. I like a man to be a man, and to show on all occasions the bottom of his heart in his discourse. Let that be the thing to speak, and never let our feelings be beneath vain compliments”
― Moliere, The Misanthrope

“You may plainly perceive the traitor through his mask; he is well-known everywhere in his true colors; his rolling eyes and his honeyed tones impose only on those who do not know him.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“You may plainly perceive the traitor through his mask; he is well known every-where in his true colors; his rolling eyes and his honeyed tones impose only on those who do not know him. People are aware that this low-bred fellow, who deserves to be pilloried, has, by the dirtiest jobs, made his way in the world; and that the splendid position he has acquired makes merit repine and virtue blush. Yet whatever dishonourable epithets may be launched against him everywhere, nobody defends his wretched honour. Call him a rogue, an infamous wretch, a confounded scoundrel if you like, all the world will say “yea, ” and no one contradicts you. But for all that, his bowing and scraping are welcome everywhere; he is received, smiled upon, and wriggles himself into all kinds of society; and, if any appointment is to be secured by intriguing, he will carry the day over a man of the greatest worth. Zounds! these are mortal stabs to me, to see vice parleyed with; and sometimes times I feel suddenly inclined to fly into a wilderness far from the approach of men.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“If perchance a friend should betray you; if he forms a subtle plot to get hold of what is yours; if people should try to spread evil reports about you, would you tamely submit to all this without flying into a rage?”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“Sur quelque préférence une estime se fonde,
Et c'est n'estimer rien qu'estimer tout le monde.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“The world will not alter for all your meddling.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“your humour, madam, Gives any and everyone too easy access Into your heart. You have too many lovers Besieging you—a thing I can't endure.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“We'll let time knit these gentle ties between us.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“Flatterers are always to blame for the vices which prevail among mankind”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“If the king had given me for my own
Paris, his citadel,
And I for that must leave alone
Her whom I love so well,
I'd say then to the Crown
Take back your glittering town
My darling is more fair, I swear.
My darling is more fair.”
― Richard Wilbur, The Misanthrope

“Deceived on all sides, overwhelmed with injustice, I will fly from an abyss where vice is triumphant, and seek out some small secluded nook on earth, where on may enjoy the freedom of being an honest man.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“Good sense avoids all extremes, and requires us to be soberly rational. This unbending and virtuous stiffness of ancient times shocks too much the ordinary customs of our own; it requires too great perfection from us mortals; we must yield to the times without being too stubborn; it is the height of folly to busy ourselves in correcting the world.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“That any gentleman should always keep
In stern control this writing itch we’re seized with; That he must hold in check the great impatience We feel to give the world these idle pastimes; For, through this eagerness to show our works, 'Tis likely we shall cut a foolish figure.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“Monsieur, c'est trop d'honneur que vous me voulez faire;
Mais l'amitié demande un peu plus de mystère,
Et c'est assurément en profaner le nom
Que de vouloir le mettre à toute occasion.
Avec lumière et choix cette union veut naître;
Avant que nous lier, il faut nous mieux connaître,
Et nous pourrions avoir telles complexions,
Que tous deux du marché nous nous repentirions.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“C'est un parleur étrange, et qui trouve toujours
L'art de ne vous rien dire avec de grands discours.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“Trahi de toutes parts, accablé d'injustices, Je vais sortir d'un gouffre où triomphent les vices ; Et chercher sur la terre un endroit écarté Où d'être homme d'honneur, on ait la liberté.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“I am, I fear, inclined to be unfashionably sincere.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“Hé quoi ? vous ne ferez nulle distinction
Entre l'hypocrisie et la dévotion?
Vous les voulez traiter d'un semblable langage,
Et rendre même honneur au masque qu'au visage,
Égaler l'artifice à la sincérité,
Confondre l'apparence avec la vérité,
Estimer le fantôme autant que la personne,
Et la fausse monnaie à l'égal de la bonne ?
Les hommes la plupart sont étrangement faits !
Dans la juste nature on ne les voit jamais ;
La raison a pour eux des bornes trop petites ;
En chaque caractère ils passent ses limites ;
Et la plus noble chose, ils la gâtent souvent
Pour la vouloir outrer et pousser trop avant.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“All human failings give us, in life, the means of exercising our philosophy”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“To esteem everyone is to esteem no one”
― Molière, Le Misanthrope

“But reason does not govern love.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“Alle Menschen sind mir in solchem Maße verhasst, dass es mich ärgern würde, wenn ich in ihren Augen weise wäre”
― Molière, The Misanthrope

“  Je veux que l'on soit homme, et qu'en toute rencontre le fond de notre coeur dans nos discours se montre, que ce soit lui qui parle, et que nos sentiments ne se masquent jamais sous de vains compliments.”
― Molière, Mizantropul

“Everything is equally endowed with great merit, so that it is no longer an honor to be lauded.”
― Molière, The Misanthrope