Crime is the soul of lust. What would pleasure be if it were not accompanied by crime? It is not the object of debauchery that excites us, rather the idea of evil.
Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Pleasure is linked to crime and evil, suggesting transgression excites us more than objects.
- In plain terms
- Crime and evil excite us more than the actual object of desire.
- What can you take from it?
- Transgression often drives desire more than the object itself.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why does breaking rules excite us?
- Is desire tied to taboo?
Another view
Many people find pleasure without crime or evil intent.
More from Donatien de Sade
Chimerical and empty being, your name alone has caused more blood to flow on the face of the earth than any political war ever will. Return to the nothingness …
Permalink to quote #11 Friends are like women: when put to the test, the goods often prove defective.
Permalink to quote #13 At all times, in every century, every age, there has been such a connection between despotism and religion that it is infinitely apparent and demonstrated a th…
Permalink to quote #10
Related quotes
Christian morality prefers remorse to precede lust, and then lust not to follow.
Karl KrausKarl Kraus quote #18 Nobody else can share this. Here comes one and one makes one, The glorious union. Well it could be love, Or it could be just lust, But it will be fun. It will …
Kate BushKate Bush quote #21 Unica regla de agradar: coger el apetito picado con el hambre con que quedo.
Baltasar GracianBaltasar Gracian quote #22