LUCILE [astonished]. What! Is he Rousseau's son?
HÉRAULT [jokingly]. Didn't you know?
DANTON. Jesuit nonsense! He's more corrupt than the rest. He who slinks off to have his pleasures, usually has very poor morals.
PHILIPPEAUX. Possibly, but if Robespierre loves pleasure he hides it effectively; and he is right, Danton. You parade your pleasures too much. You would sacrifice your fortune for a night at the Palais-Royal.
DANTON. Because I prefer good fortune to bad.
PHILIPPEAUX. Meantime, you are compromising yourself. Public opinion is quick to judge you. And what will posterity say when it learns that Danton, on the eve of a decisive struggle for the State, thought only of pleasure?
DANTON. I don't give a damn about public opinion; reputation is nothing, and posterity a stinking cesspool!
PHILIPPEAUX. And virtue, Danton?
DANTON. Ask my wife whether mine satisfies her.
PHILIPPEAUX. You don't believe what you say. You libel yourself and play into the hands of the enemy.