
Jean de La Bruyère - LES CARACTÈRES - 1688 - Texte de la dernière édition revue et corrigée par l'auteur, publiée par E. Michallet, 1696.
LES CARACTÈRES DE THÉOPHRASTE - Discours sur Théophraste
Les caractères de Théophraste
De la dissimulation
De la flatterie
De l'impertinent ou du diseur de rien
De la rusticité
Du complaisant
De l'image d'un coquin
Du grand parleur
In this sharp‑eyed portrait of his age, the author surveys the quirks and foibles of everyday people with a blend of wit and moral curiosity. He moves from the pretentious flatterer to the miserly saver, from the boastful town crier to the superstitious rustic, each brief sketch exposing a recognizable human fault. The prose is concise yet vivid, turning ordinary scenes into mirrors that reflect both personal vanity and collective habits. Though rooted in the salons and streets of 17th‑century France, the observations feel oddly modern.
Listeners will find a lively guide to the social games of ambition, love, and power that still echo in today’s conversations. The author’s gentle satire invites reflection without preaching, encouraging the ear to recognize the same character types at work in contemporary life. Whether you enjoy witty commentary on court intrigue or a thoughtful look at everyday morality, the collection offers a compact yet rich listening experience that rewards repeated visits.
Language
fr
Duration
~14 hours (822K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chuck Greif and www.ebooksgratuits.com
Release date
Mar 14, 2006
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1645–1696
Best known for a single brilliant book, he turned close observation into sharp, memorable portraits of human behavior. His writing is witty, skeptical, and still surprisingly modern in the way it notices vanity, ambition, and self-deception.
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