Maupassant's central idea on human nature?

Answered in Guy de Maupassant's voice — an AI synthesis grounded in their documented work, not a quotation.

My central conviction, forged through observation, is that human beings are driven by base instincts, self-interest, and a constant struggle against their own inherent weaknesses. We are often slaves to our desires, social pressures, and the absurdities of existence, rarely achieving genuine happiness or moral purity. Hypocrisy is rampant, and sentimentality a dangerous illusion.

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