Charles de Saint-Évremond

“ I must acquaint you, in the first place, that we have, amongst us, very great Wits, who propagate Jansenism by their Writings; vain Sophisters, who, to credit themselves by being Jansenists, entertain continual Disputes in private houses; and wise and cunning persons, who prudently govern both the other. You’ll find in the first a great knowledge, a competent deal of honesty, often too much heat, and sometimes some animosity. There is in the second, a great deal of obstinacy and self-conceit : those that are least usesul, fortify the Party by their numbers ”

“ They introduce a reformation into a Monastery, without reforming themselves : they extol penance without practising it : they cause some persons, who endeavour to distinguish themselves by being singular, to diet on Herbs, whilst they live as well as those that have the most delicate palates. Nevertheless, our Directors, such as I represent them, do Jansenism more service by their Directions, than our best Writers by their fine Books. ”

“ The Gospel, in their hands, is more indulgent than Morals; and Religion, when manag’d by them, does not so strongly oppose vice, as Reason does. I love learned honest men, who make a sound judgment of our actions ”

“ As for the Politicians, they employ every one according to his talent; and govern the whole machine, by springs unknown to those very persons who are acted by them.
"Those who preach, or write upon GRACE, and treat that celebrated and so long debated question; those who place the Council above the Pope, oppose his Infallibility, and thwart the great pretensions of the Court of Rome, are persuaded of what they say : tho capable to change their opinion, if the Jesuits should one day think fit to alter theirs. ”