"Les caractères" by Jean de La Bruyère is a collection of observations published in 1688. Working for seventeen years, La Bruyère crafted 420 remarks in the form of maxims, reflections, and portraits depicting French society and court life. Presented as a continuation of ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus's work, the collection grew through nine editions to over 1,100 observations by 1694. La Bruyère sketched the social and cultural flaws of his time, balancing instruction with entertainment through varied literary forms and brilliant style.