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French nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
Marquis de Sade was a French writer, libertine, and political activist best known for his controversial libertine novels and imprisonment for various crimes. His works, including the infamous ‘120 Days of Sodom,’ combined graphic descriptions of sex acts, violence, and philosophy, leading to debates over the nature of his behavior and the rehabilitation of his reputation.
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About the Marquis de Sade
Donatien Alphonse Francois, Marquis de Sadewas a French writer, libertine, political activist and nobleman best known for his libertine novels and imprisonment for sex crimes, blasphemy and pornography. His works include novels, short stories, plays, dialogues, and political tracts. Some of these were published under his own name during his lifetime, but most appeared anonymously or posthumously.
Born into a noble family dating from the 13th century, Sade served as an officer in the Seven Years’ War before a series of sex scandals led to his detention in various prisons and insane asylums for most of his adult life. During his first extended imprisonment from 1777 to 1790, he wrote a series of novels and other works, some of which his wife smuggled out of prison. On his release during the French Revolution, he pursued a literary career and became politically active, first as a constitutional monarchist then as a radical republican. During the Reign of Terror he was imprisoned for moderatism and narrowly escaped the guillotine. He was re-arrested in 1801 for his pornographic novels and was eventually incarcerated in the Charenton insane asylum where he died in 1814.
His major works include The 120 Days of Sodom, Justine, Juliette, and Philosophy in the Bedroom which combine graphic descriptions of sex acts, rape, torture, murder, and child abuse with discourses on religion, politics, sexuality, and philosophy. The word sadism derives from his fictional characters who take pleasure in inflicting pain on others.
There is debate over the extent to which Sade’s behavior was criminal and sadistic. Peter Marshall states that Sade’s “known behaviourdeparts greatly from the clinical picture of active sadism.” Andrea Dworkin, however, argues that the issue is whether one believes Sade or the women who accused him of sexual assault.
Interest in his work increased in the 20th century, with various authors considering him a precursor to Nietzsche, Freud, surrealism, totalitarianism, and anarchism. Many prominent intellectuals including Angela Carter, Simone de Beauvoir, and Roland Barthes published studies of his work and numerous biographies have appeared. Cultural depictions of his life and work include the play Marat/Sade by Peter Weiss and the film Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom by Pier Paolo Pasolini. Dworkin and Roger Shattuck have criticized the rehabilitation of Sade’s reputation, arguing that it promotes violent pornography likely to cause harm to women, the young and “unformed minds”.
Frequently Asked Questions
Marquis de Sade was a French writer, libertine, political activist, and nobleman who lived from 1740 to 1814. He is best known for his libertine novels and imprisonment for sex crimes, blasphemy, and pornography.
Marquis de Sade’s major works include the novels ‘The 120 Days of Sodom,’ ‘Justine,’ ‘Juliette,’ and ‘Philosophy in the Bedroom,’ which combine graphic descriptions of sex acts, rape, torture, murder, and child abuse with discussions on religion, politics, sexuality, and philosophy.
There is ongoing debate over the extent to which Marquis de Sade’s behavior was criminal and sadistic. Some argue his known actions were not as extreme as his fictional works, while others believe the accounts of the women who accused him of sexual assault.
Marquis de Sade’s work has been considered a precursor to various intellectual and artistic movements, including Nietzsche, Freud, surrealism, totalitarianism, and anarchism. Many prominent intellectuals have studied his works, and his life and writings have been depicted in plays, films, and other cultural depictions.
Marquis de Sade was politically active, first as a constitutional monarchist and later as a radical republican. During the Reign of Terror, he was imprisoned for moderatism and narrowly escaped the guillotine.
43 Quotes by Marquis de Sade
- 1.
All, all is theft, all is unceasing and rigorous competition in nature; the desire to make off with the substance of others is the foremost – the most legitimate – passion nature has bred into us and, without doubt, the most agreeable one.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 2.
The ultimate triumph of philosophy would be to cast light upon the mysterious ways in which Providence moves to achieve the designs it has for man.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 3.
Happiness lies neither in vice nor in virtue; but in the manner we appreciate the one and the other, and the choice we make pursuant to our individual organization.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 4.
Variety, multiplicity are the two most powerful vehicles of lust.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 5.
To judge from the notions expounded by theologians, one must conclude that God created most men simply with a view to crowding hell.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 6.
It is always by way of pain one arrives at pleasure.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 7.
One is never so dangerous when one has no shame, than when one has grown too old to blush.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 8.
Never lose sight of the fact that all human felicity lies in man’s imagination, and that he cannot think to attain it unless he heeds all his caprices. The most fortunate of persons is he who has the most means to satisfy his vagaries.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 9.
One weeps not save when one is afraid, and that is why kings are tyrants.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 10.
The primary and most beautiful of Nature’s qualities is motion, which agitates her at all times, but this motion is simply a perpetual consequence of crimes, she conserves it by means of crimes only.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 11.
There is no God, Nature sufficeth unto herself; in no wise hath she need of an author.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 12.
Are wars anything but the means whereby a nation is nourished, whereby it is strengthened, whereby it is buttressed?
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 13.
“Sex” is as important as eating or drinking and we ought to allow the one appetite to be satisfied with as little restraint or false modesty as the other.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 14.
I’ve already told you: the only way to a woman’s heart is along the path of torment. I know none other as sure.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 15.
Social order at the expense of liberty is hardly a bargain.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 16.
Lust is to the other passions what the nervous fluid is to life; it supports them all, lends strength to them all ambition, cruelty, avarice, revenge, are all founded on lust.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 17.
Lust’s passion will be served; it demands, it militates, it tyrannizes.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 18.
She had already allowed her delectable lover to pluck that flower which, so different from the rose to which it is nevertheless sometimes compared, has not the same faculty of being reborn each spring.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 19.
The idea of God is the sole wrong for which I cannot forgive mankind.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 20.
In order to know virtue, we must first acquaint ourselves with vice.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 21.
No lover, if he be of good faith, and sincere, will deny he would prefer to see his mistress dead than unfaithful.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 22.
‘Til the infallibility of human judgements shall have been proved to me, I shall demand the abolition of the penalty of death.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 23.
Sensual excess drives out pity in man.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 24.
Man’s natural character is to imitate; that of the sensitive man is to resemble as closely as possible the person whom he loves. It is only by imitating the vices of others that I have earned my misfortunes.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 25.
All universal moral principles are idle fancies.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 26.
Your body is the church where Nature asks to be reverenced.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 27.
Are not laws dangerous which inhibit the passions? Compare the centuries of anarchy with those of the strongest legalism in any country you like and you will see that it is only when the laws are silent that the greatest actions appear.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 28.
Between understanding and faith immediate connections must subsist.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 29.
It is not my mode of thought that has caused my misfortunes, but the mode of thought of others.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 30.
Nature has not got two voices, you know, one of them condemning all day what the other commands.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 31.
So long as the laws remain such as they are today, employ some discretion: loud opinion forces us to do so; but in privacy and silence let us compensate ourselves for that cruel chastity we are obliged to display in public.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 32.
My manner of thinking, so you say, cannot be approved. Do you suppose I care? A poor fool indeed is he who adopts a manner of thinking for others!
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 33.
Destruction, hence, like creation, is one of Nature’s mandates.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 34.
The more defects a man may have, the older he is, the less lovable, the more resounding his success.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 35.
Religions are the cradles of despotism.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 36.
Woman’s destiny is to be wanton, like the bitch, the she-wolf; she must belong to all who claim her.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 37.
What is more immoral than war?
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 38.
There is no more lively sensation than that of pain; its impressions are certain and dependable, they never deceive as may those of the pleasure women perpetually feign and almost never experience.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 39.
They declaim against the passions without bothering to think that it is from their flame philosophy lights its torch.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 40.
Nature, who for the perfect maintenance of the laws of her general equilibrium, has sometimes need of vices and sometimes of virtues, inspires now this impulse, now that one, in accordance with what she requires.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 41.
Happiness is ideal, it is the work of the imagination.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 42.
Truth titillates the imagination far less than fiction.
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works
- 43.
The imagination is the spur of delights… all depends upon it, it is the mainspring of everything; now, is it not by means of the imagination one knows joy? Is it not of the imagination that the sharpest pleasures arise?
Marquis de SadeFrench nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer of erotic works