How we cite our quotes: (Part.Letter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Let her believe in virtue, but let her sacrifice it for my sake. (1.6.3)
An as object for his seduction, Madame de Tourvel appeals to Valmont precisely because she has uncompromising principles. She poses more of a challenge for him. He doesn't want her to give up her principles, but to violate them.
Quote #2
But Valmont is not a man of that sort: his conduct is the outcome of his principles. He knows exactly how far a man may carry villainy without danger to himself, and, so that he can be cruel and vicious with impunity, he chooses women for his victims. (1.9.2)
According to Madame de Volanges, Valmont is a man of principle, but his principles are evil. He's an evil man, but very calculating and deliberate. Do you agree with her assessment?
Quote #3
You renounce your bold schemes that have succeeded before, so that you now lead a life devoid of principles, leaving everything to chance, or rather the whim of the moment. (1.10.1)
Madame de Merteuil, contrary to Madame de Volanges, believes that Valmont's endeavors where Tourvel is concerned will be a move away from Valmont's characteristic principles of controlled and premeditated evil. Merteuil sees this as a very dangerous way to live; it leaves you open to having your emotions overwhelm your better judgment. And by better judgment, we mean purposefully evil intent.
Quote #4
As a matter of fact, I was thinking, when he was announced, of how best to throw him into despair. (1.10.4)
This seems to be one of Madame de Merteuil's guiding principles. She's a sower of discord and despair. It's what she lives for and what brings her the most pleasure. It's one of her personal rules, a lens through which she sees the world: how can I make this person miserable?
Quote #5
How often we have been encouraged to cultivate a good heart! Yet we are forbidden to follow its dictates where a man is in question. (1.16.2)
Cécile's heart is telling her to be kind to Danceny and answer his letters, but her moral principles about how she's supposed to behave with men are telling her otherwise. She's experiencing a lot of conflict about it, like we always do when our heart tells us one thing and our head something different.
Quote #6
But tolerance I see as no more than dangerous frailty when it brings us to look with equal favour upon virtue and vice. (1.32.1)
This is a good example of how principles can't always be absolute. Madame de Volanges wants to be a tolerant person, but she doesn't think that tolerating wickedness is acceptable. Unlike Valmont and Merteuil, she wants her principles to guide virtuous behavior, as opposed to just being expedient.
Quote #7
She is truly delicious! She has neither character nor principles: imagine how easy and agreeable her company will one day be. (1.38.2)
Madame de Merteuil doesn't think much of Cécile. To her, the young woman is a plaything, to young to have developed any definite principles yet. She thinks her lack of principles will make her an easy target for Valmont. Cécile does have principles—she knows enough to protest what Valmont does to her—but she's unsophisticated enough to let Valmont influence her. Merteuil believes that Cécile's ultimate lively personality will make her enjoy sex with Valmont and undermine any moral objections Cécile might have. The Marquise laughingly refers to Cécile's principles as her "little scruples."
Quote #8
[…] the only way to conquer scruples in others is to leave them with nothing to lose. (2.51.7)
Madame de Merteuil is telling Valmont to encourage Danceny to go for it with Cécile. Does this describe most people? An idea here is that people will go against their principles if they can get away with it.
Quote #9
When have you known me to break the rules I have laid down for myself or betray my principles? I say ' my principles' intentionally. They are not, like those of other women, found by chance, accepted unthinkingly, and followed out of habit. They are the fruit of profound reflection. I have created them: I might say that I have created myself. (2.81.14)
For Madame de Merteuil, principles aren't moral standards, but they're just as firm as religious or moral principles. She prides herself on never violating them. And they're her own work, her achievement, as opposed to principles that you might just learn from your religion or your parents. Extra credit: develop what you think are Merteuil's Ten Commandments.