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...pleasure, which is undeniably the sole motive force behind the union of the sexes, is nevertheless not enough to form a bond between them...even if it is preceded by desire which impels, it is succeeded by disgust which repels. This is a law of nature which only love can change.
[Le plaisir, qui est bien en effet l'unique mobile de la réunion des deux sexes, ne suffit pourtant pas pour former une liaison entre eux..., s'il est précédé du désir qui rapproche, il n'est pas moins suivi du dégoût qui repousse. C'est une loi de la nature, que l'amour seul peut changer.]
In Letter One Hundred and Thirty-one, the Marquise de Merteuil writes to the Vicomte de Valmont to ask him to give up their plan for a reunion, since they cannot ever be honest to each other or happy together. But even though this is a kind of break-up letter from the Marquise, she makes an unusual show of optimism about relationships along the way. Judging from the majority of the Marquise's actions, one would assume that the only thing in life she is interested in is pleasure. However, this quotation shows that she believes that love exists, and that she believes that love is the one force that can grant a permanent truce between the embattled sexes.

In Letter One Hundred and Thirty-one, the Marquise de Merteuil writes to the Vicomte de Valmont to ask him to give up their plan for a reunion, since they cannot ever be honest to each other or happy together. But even though this is a kind of break-up letter from the Marquise, she makes an unusual show of optimism about relationships along the way. Judging from the majority of the Marquise's actions, one would assume that the only thing in life she is interested in is pleasure. However, this quotation shows that she believes that love exists, and that she believes that love is the one force that can grant a permanent truce between the embattled sexes.

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