Julie de Lespinasse (1732–76,) in full Julie-Jeanne-Éléanore de Lespinasse, was a French hostess of one of the most brilliant and emancipated of Parisian salons. She was the author of several volumes of passionate letters that reveal her romantic sensibility and literary gifts.
Born in Lyon, Lespinasse was an illegitimate daughter of Countess d’Albon. At first a teacher, in 1754, she became a companion to the Marquise du Deffand, one of the reigning aristocratic Parisian hostesses. While living with Madame du Deffand, Lespinasse formed a deep platonic relationship with the philosopher Jean le Rond d’Alembert.
From 1764, Lespinasse broke with the Marquise and created a brilliant salon in the rue Saint-Dominique of her own for the literary figures of her day. She also formed liaisons with the Marquis de Mora and the Comte de Guibert. Her Lettres (1809) to the Comte de Guibert show her intensely experienced emotions of love, remorse, and despair. Philosopher Denis Diderot wrote of her in his Rêve de d’Alembert (written 1769; D’Alembert’s Dream,) which she requested to suppress.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Julie de Lespinasse
I do not comprehend those rules of conduct that make us so content with self and so cold to those we love. I detest prudence, I even hate (suffer me to say so) those duties of friendship which substitute propriety for interest, and circumspection for feeling. How shall I say it? I love the abandonment to impulse, I act from impulse only, and I love to madness that others do the same by me.
—Julie de Lespinasse
You know that when I hate you, it is because I love you to a point of passion that unhinges my soul.
—Julie de Lespinasse
Topics: Hatred, Hate
If you can attain repose and calm, believe that you have seized happiness.
—Julie de Lespinasse
Topics: Relaxation
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Jean le Rond d’Alembert French Mathematician
Montesquieu French Political Philosopher
Denis Diderot French Philosopher, Writer
Maximilien Robespierre French Revolutionary
Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux French Literary Critic
Madame Roland French Revolutionary
Pierre de Marivaux French Dramatist, Author
Alain-Rene Lesage French Novelist, Dramatist
Francois-Rene de Chateaubriand French Writer, Statesman