"He was a philosopher," says Abbe d'Olivet in his _Histoire de l'Academie Francaise;_ "all he dreamt of was a quiet life, with his friends and his books, making a good choice of both; not courting or avoiding pleasure; ever inclined for moderate fun, and with a talent for setting it going; polished in manners, and discreet in conversation; dreading every sort of ambition, even that of displaying wit." This was not quite the opinion formed by Boileau of La Bruyere.
"Maximilian came to see me at Auteuil," writes Boileau to Racine on the 19th of May, 1687, the very year in which the _Caracteres_ was published; "he read me some of his _Theophrastus_.

He is a very worthy (_honnete_) man, and one who would lack nothing, if nature had created him as agreeable as he is anxious to be.

However, he has wit, learning, and merit." Amidst his many and various portraits, La Bruyere has drawn his own with an amiable pride.

"I go to your door, Ctesiphon; the need I have of you hurries me from my bed and from my room.

Would to Heaven I were neither your client nor your bore.