Sentimental Education Wealth Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

He believed in courtesans advising diplomatists, in wealthy marriages brought about by intrigues, in the cleverness of convicts, in the capacity of strong men for getting the better of fortune. In short, he considered it so useful to visit the Dambreuses, and talked about it so plausibly, that Frederick was at a loss to know what was the best course to take. (1.5.296)

Deslauriers may not have money or status, but he sure thinks like someone who does. After all, he is the one who provides the roadmap for Frederick's rise in society. How's that for gratitude?

Quote #5

He had just been dismissed from the boarding-school, in which he had been a teacher, for having given a whipping to an aristocrat's son. His straitened circumstances had got worse in consequence: he laid the blame of this on the inequalities of society, and cursed the wealthy. (1.5.394)

Sénécal has just lost the first of many jobs. Angry at the class system, he blames money for almost all of his problems. Do you think this is a fair accusation?

Quote #6

So, after all, this catastrophe was a piece of good fortune; like those earthquakes which unveil treasures, it had revealed to him the hidden wealth of his nature. (1.6.3)

At first, Frederick thinks he won't get any inheritance from his uncle, so he tries to look on the bright side. He decides that having no money will make him a better person. Is he right? Would he have been better off without all the money he inherited?