Which 17th century philanderer said, "Absence is to love as wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small and kindles the great."?

This is an inspirational quote by Roger de Bussy-Rabutin, and it is about the value of Love: “Absence is to love as wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small and kindles the great.” In history Bussy-Rabutin was known to be a philanderer, who amused the nobility of his time with scandalous tales. He told stories in a light, whimsical and classical prose style. Also, he was the cousin and confidant of the celebrated letter writer Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, marquise de Sévigné. Some personal letters were found when she died. Letters that each had written were later celebrated for their wit and vividness.

Nowadays, Bussy-Rabutin's quote is seen as a paraphrase of a writing by Duc De La Rochefoucauld. He wrote, "Absence lessens half-hearted passions, and increases great ones, as the wind puts out candles and yet stirs up the fire.” Clearly both men are saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder only if the passion between two people is great, much like a great wind that makes a fire burn hotter and more furiously.

When great lovers are apart, their love and passion grows hotter with the anticipation of being reunited. If two people have only a passing fancy in one another, then absence will likely extinguish their limited amount of passion. It will work much like the wind that blows out the small flame of a candle.

To put it simply, we all only live once; if it is done the right way, once is enough.