Marquise de Merteuil: When I came out into society, I was fifteen. I already knew that the role I was condemned to, namely to keep quiet and do what I was told, gave me the perfect opportunity to listen and observe. Not to what people told me, which ...
Marquise de Merteuil: You'll find the shame is like the pain, you only feel it once.
[repeated line] Vicomte de Valmont: It's beyond my control.
Madame de Rosemonde: I'm sorry to say this, but, those who are most worthy of love are never made happy by it. Madame Marie de Tourvel: But, why? Why should that be? Madame de Rosemonde: Do you still think men love the way we do? No... men enjoy the ...
Vicomte de Valmont: You see, I have no intention of breaking down her prejudices. I want her to believe in God and virtue and the sanctity of marriage, and still not be able to stop herself. I want the excitement of watching her betray everything tha...
Marquise de Merteuil: When it comes to marriage, one man is as good as the next. And even the least accomodating is less trouble than a mother.
Marquise de Merteuil: One does not applaud the tenor for clearing his throat.
Marquise de Merteuil: Like most intellectuals, he's intensely stupid.
Vicomte de Valmont: I often wonder how you manage to invent yourself. Marquise de Merteuil: Well, I had no choice, did I? I'm a woman. Women are obliged to be far more skillful than men. You can ruin our reputation and our life with a few well-chosen...
Vicomte de Valmont: Surely I've explained to you before how much I enjoy watching the battle between love and virtue. Marquise de Merteuil: What concerns me is that you seem to enjoy watching it much more than you used to enjoy winning it. Vicomte de...
Marquise de Merteuil: [said to Valmont] Vanity and happiness are incompatible.
Vicomte de Valmont: I ended by falling on my knees and pledging her eternal love. And do you know that, at that time, and for several hours afterwards, I actually meant it.
Cécile de Volanges: Are you saying I'm going to have to do [swallows hard] Cécile de Volanges: THAT with three different men? Marquise de Merteuil: I'm saying, you stupid little girl, that provided you take a few elementary precautions you can do i...
Vicomte de Valmont: Why do you suppose we only feel compelled to chase the ones who run away? Marquise de Merteuil: Immaturity?
Marquise de Merteuil: When one woman strikes at the heart of another she seldom misses, and the wound is invariably fatal.
Marquise de Merteuil: Tell us we should think of the opera. Chevalier Danceny: Oh, it's sublime, don't you find? Marquise de Merteuil: Monsieur Danceny is one of those rare eccentrics who come here to listen to the music.
Vicomte de Valmont: Now, yes or no? It's up to you, of course. I will merely confine myself to remarking that a "no" will be regarded as a declaration of war. A single word is all that's required. Marquise de Merteuil: All right. War.
Marquise de Merteuil: My victory wasn't over her. Vicomte de Valmont: Of Course it was. What are you talking about? Marquise de Merteuil: It was over you.
