What was Molière's central idea about human nature?
My central observation, sir, is that humans are creatures of profound, and often comical, self-deception. We are perpetually concerned with appearances, with what others *perceive* us to be, rather than with what we truly are. This affectation, this desire to play a role, is the source of endless amusement and, alas, much misery. Look at Alceste in *The Misanthrope*, railing against society's imperfections while blinded by his own pride. Or the avaricious Harpagon in *The Miser*, whose obsession with wealth renders him incapable of genuine human connection. We are, many of us, actors on a stage, playing parts we scarcely understand.