How we cite our quotes: (Part.Letter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Meanwhile our fastidious chambermaid was so much the more abashed because the ridiculous man, determined to outdo me in ingenuity, had coaxed her into a state of undress which the season might have explained, but could not excuse. (1.44.10)
Reputations matter to everyone in Dangerous Liaisons. If you want to control another person, threaten their reputation. The chambermaid's guilt about being caught in a compromising position (which Valmont himself arranged) will prove useful for Valmont. It will make her more "tractable," i.e. compliant.
Quote #2
I have searched my consciousness, and the blame is not mine: it would be too dreadful to have to look for it in you. (1.46.1)
Danceny, as a very young lover, doesn't have a lot of experience with women. His one-trick plan seems to be to make Cécile feel guilty for not writing to him and seeing him as much as he wants. He's blameless.
Quote #3
You pretend to be afraid of love, and you do not wish to see that it is you alone who are the cause of the evils for which you hold love to blame. (2.52.2)
In some ways, Valmont is a more direct, deliberate, and sophisticated version of Danceny. Both men manipulate others, particular women, by blaming them for their trials and tribulations.
Quote #4
You oblige me to speak in my own defense too; for while I devote my life to worshipping you, you spend your in finding fault with me. (2.52.3)
Note the misdirection and deceit in this statement. Valmont faults Madame de Tourvel for finding fault in him. He says he devotes his time to worshipping her, and yet here he is, as he always is, critical instead of worshipful. It's confusing for an innocent, trusting person like Madame de Tourvel to be with someone like Valmont, because he's so good at turning the tables on her. And she's vulnerable, because she's a good person who doesn't want to be the cause of anyone's pain.
Quote #5
Who can have betrayed us? Whom do you suspect? Have you, perhaps, been a little indiscreet? (2.65.1)
At this stage in his life, Danceny is prone to blame everyone but himself. It wouldn't occur to him that maybe he was indiscreet. There's a sexist implication in here: women, you know, always running their mouths…
Quote #6
Dear God, how unhappy I am! And it is you who are to blame!
Cécile is finally giving Danceny a taste of his own medicine. She's reached a point where she won't submit to Danceny's attempts to induce guilt. How do you like them apples, Dan?
Quote #7
Better die than live guiltily. I am already, I feel, only too guilty; only my good sense remains to me; virtue has disappeared. (3.102.5)
Madame de Tourvel is explaining to her friend why she had to leave her estate so unexpectedly. She feels guilty about her feelings for Valmont so she decides to remove herself from temptation. Unlike most other characters, she takes a look at how she got herself into this situation, by not knowing enough about love and by thinking she could resist her feelings.
Quote #8
To be the instrument of one's own misery… (3.108.2)
To her credit, Madame de Tourvel doesn't blame others for her own faults and failings. She knows she's to blame and she accepts the resulting misery as just. What a refreshing idea. It's especially tragic that she's destroyed by guilt, since her downfall has been carefully orchestrated by Merteuil and Valmont.
Quote #9
Almighty God, I submit to your justice. But pardon Valmont. Let only my miseries, which I acknowledge I deserve, not be held against him and I shall ever be grateful for your mercy!
The tragedy of this prayer is that Valmont is to blame as well. Why does Madame de Tourvel not also pray for God's mercy upon herself? After all, from Tourvel's Christian standpoint, she's not beyond salvation; forgiveness is available, but she can't forgive herself.