Madame de Sévigné

Name: The Letters of Madame de Sévigné to her Daughter and Friends
Author: Madame de Sévigné

Biographical details

Madame de Sévigné (1626-1696) published works such as The Letters of Madame de Sévigné to her Daughter and Friends. These writings evoke Landrecy, dear cousin and friendship and are part of Classicism.

Quotes by Madame de Sévigné

Madame de Sévigné, The Letters of Madame de Sévigné to her Daughter and Friends

“ It is a sad thing for a man of courage to be confined at home when there are such great doings in Flanders [5] As you feel, no doubt, all that a man of spirit and valor can feel, it is imprudent in me to revive so painful a subject. I hope you will forgive me, in consideration of the great interest I take in your affairs.
It is said you have written to the king. Send me a copy of your letter, and give me a little information respecting your mode of life, what sort of things amuse you, and whether the alterations you are making in your house do not contribute a good deal toward it. ”

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Madame de Sévigné, The Letters of Madame de Sévigné to her Daughter and Friends

“ I am glad you approve of the marriage with M. de Grignan ; he is a very good man, and very gentlemanly — has wealth, rank, holds a high office, and is much esteemed and respected by the world. What more is necessary ? I think we are fortunate, and as you are of the same opinion, sign the deed I sent you ; and be assured, my dear cousin, that if it depended on me, you should be first at the entertainment. How admirably well you would act your part! Since you left us, I have heard no wit equal to yours, and I have said to myself a thousand times, "Good heavens, what a difference!" ”

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Madame de Sévigné, The Letters of Madame de Sévigné to her Daughter and Friends

“ I should be an unworthy cousin of so brave a cousin, if I were sorry to see you, during the present campaign, at the head of the finest regiment in France, and in so glorious a post as the one you hold. I dare say you would disown any sentiments less worthy than these; I leave weaker and more tender feelings to the true bagnio gentry. Every one loves in his own way. ”

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Madame de Sévigné, The Letters of Madame de Sévigné to her Daughter and Friends

“ Will you always disgrace your relations? Will you never be weary of making yourself the subject of conversation in every campaign? Do you imagine it can give us pleasure to hear that M. de Turenne has sent word to court that you have done nothing worthy of notice at Landrecy? ”

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Madame de Sévigné, The Letters of Madame de Sévigné to her Daughter and Friends

“ I received a letter from you, my dear cousin, when I was in Brittany, in which you talked of our ancestors, the Rabutins, and of the beauty of Bourbilly. But as I had heard from Paris that you were expected there, and as I had hoped myself to arrive much sooner, I deferred writing to you ; and now I find you are not coming at all. You know that nothing is now talked of but war. The whole court is at camp, and the whole camp is at court ”

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Madame de Sévigné, The Letters of Madame de Sévigné to her Daughter and Friends

“ This is the road, it is said, to preferment, and you know how interested I am in your welfare ; but I shall be pleased either way. If you remain, true friendship shall find its account ; if you return, affectionate friendship shall be satisfied. ”

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Madame de Sévigné, The Letters of Madame de Sévigné to her Daughter and Friends

“ LETTER VII.
Paris, July 26, 1668. I begin by thanking you, my dear cousin, for your letters to the king. They would afford me pleasure even .if they were written by a stranger. They have awakened in me sentiments of pity, and I should think they must produce the same effect on our sovereign. It is true, he does not bear the name of Rabutin, as I do.
The prettiest girl in France sends her compliments to you. This title is due to her ; I am, however, weary of doing the honors of it. She is more worthy than ever of your esteem and friendship. ”

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Madame de Sévigné, The Letters of Madame de Sévigné to her Daughter and Friends

“ This was the subject of my second letter, and five or six days after I received one from you, full of complaints against me. You see, however, my poor cousin, with how little justice you complain ; and hence I draw this fine moral reflection, that we should never condemn a person unheard. This is my justification. Another, perhaps, would have expressed the same thing in fewer words. You must bear with my imperfections, in consideration of my friendship. Every one has his peculiar style ; mine, as you see, is by no means laconic.
LETTER IV. ”

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Madame de Sévigné, The Letters of Madame de Sévigné to her Daughter and Friends

“ He consulted M. de Turenne, Cardinal du Retz, and M. de Rochefoucauld upon this : most important personages ! and they all approved it so highly that it was fixed upon, and rumored abroad, before I knew any thing of the matter. In short, he is gone. I have wept bitterly, for it is a source of great grief to me. I shall not have a moment's rest during his voyage. I see all its dangers, and terrify myself to death ; but alas, I am wholly out of the question ; for, in things of this nature, mothers have no voice. Adieu.
LETTER VIII. ”

Madame de Sévigné

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