Not that he is always servile.

The reader, I daresay, remembers that La Bruyere described a curious being in Troilus, the despotic parasite.

Palissot, eighteenth century or nineteenth century, is often like Troilus, parasite and tyrant at the same time.

He usually happens to have begun life with laudable aspirations and sincere interests of his own; and when, alas, the mediocrity of his gifts proves too weak to bear the burden of his ambitions, the recollection of a generous youth only serves to sour old age.
Bel esprit abhorre de tous les bons esprits, Il pense par la haine echapper au mepris.
A force d'attentats il se croit illustre; Et s'il n'etait mechant, il serait ignore.
Palissot began with a tragedy.

He proceeded to an angry pamphlet against the Encyclopaedists and the fury for innovation.