Molière’s “The Misanthrope” is a 17th-century comedy of manners in verse.
The play is about Alceste, a man who is unable to connect himself to the day’s superficial social activities and hence cannot participate in any type of society.
Let’s explore the best quotes from The Misanthrope for you.
Table of Contents
The Misanthrope Quotes by Molière
“Do not therefore pull yourself up with vain-glory about the trifling advantages of a poor victory.” ~ Molière (quote from The Misanthrope).
“To esteem everyone is to esteem no one.” ~ Molière, Le Misanthrope.
“I have the defect of being more sincere than persons wish.” ~ Moliere, The Misanthrope.
I have the defect of being more sincere than persons wish. ~ Molière, Le Misanthrope.
“We’ll let time knit these gentle ties between us.” ~ Molière (quote from The Misanthrope).
“The world will not alter for all your meddling.” ~ Molière (quote from The Misanthrope).
“I am, I fear, inclined to be unfashionably sincere.” ~ Molière (quote from The Misanthrope).
“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 (quote from The Misanthrope).
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Quotes from 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).
“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 (quote from 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 (quote from The Misanthrope).
“If all hearts were candid, just, and tractable, most of our virtues would be useless to us, inasmuch as their functions are to bear, without annoyance, the injustice of others in our good cause; and just in the same way as a heart full of virtue.” ~ Molière (quote from The Misanthrope).
Best The Misanthrope Quotes by Molière
“Doubts are more cruel than the worst of truths.” ~ Molière (quote from 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).
“Each day my reason tells me so; But reason doesn’t rule in love, you know.” ~ Molière (quote from 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 (quote from 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 (quote from 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 (quote from The Misanthrope).
Famous Misanthrope Quotes by Molière
“Everything is equally endowed with great merit, so that it is no longer an honor to be lauded.” ~ Molière (quote from 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 (quote from 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 (quote from The Misanthrope).
“There are things in life which one cannot well defend, although one may have the greatest wish to do so.” ~ Molière (quote from The Misanthrope).
“Flatterers are always to blame for the vices which prevail among mankind.” ~ Molière (quote from The Misanthrope).
“All human failings give us, in life, the means of exercising our philosophy.” ~ Molière (quote from The Misanthrope).
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