Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality

Characters maintain a facade of virtue, morality, and social propriety while engaging in corrupt, immoral acts; the 'Advertisement from the Editor' ironically claims such corruption could not exist in an 'age of philosophy,' highlighting the gap between public reputation and private behavior.

The editor claims the age is too moral for such corrupt characters, yet the novel itself will reveal deep hypocrisy beneath the surface of polite society.

The characters present a facade of propriety while engaging in deceitful and immoral schemes, highlighting the gap between public image and private actions.

Valmont feigns piety at mass and prayers to please his aunt, while secretly pursuing his libertine goals, illustrating the gap between appearance and reality.

Merteuil dismisses Tourvel as a plain, prudish devotee, yet Valmont sees her as a worthy conquest; Merteuil's own threats to break with Belleroche are a performance of power.