Grimm is described on one of these occasions as having rather displeased Madame d'Epinay: "He was not sufficiently ready to disapprove the remark of a man of our acquaintance, who said that it was right to observe the most scrupulous probity with one's friends, but that it was mere dupery to treat other people better than they would treat us.

We maintained, she and I, that it was right and necessary to be honest and good with all the world without distinction."[223] Here is another picture of discussion, with an introduction that is thoroughly characteristic of Diderot's temper: "This man looks at the human race only on its dark side.

He does not believe in virtuous actions; he disparages them, and denies them.

If he tells a story, it is always about something scandalous and abominable.
I have just told you of the two women of my acquaintance, of whom he took occasion to speak as ill as he could to Madame Le Gendre.

They have their defects, no doubt; but they have also their good qualities.