La société

La Société (La Societe) or The Society is a term applied to those who follow the works of the Marquis de Sade or the sadian principles. Groups are usually highly secretive with small numbers and stringent entry requirements. It is unsure where the group originated, but it is referred to in several prominent works on de Sade's life, including Sade Mon Prochain (Sade My Neighbor) by Pierre Klossowski written in 1947.

The philosophy of the group is similar to the libertine existence practiced by de Sade, with more emphasis on sado-masochism than intercourse. Group meetings are as a rule strictly non-sexual, with more focus on studying the works and life of The Marquis and other respected authors (such as John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester) and attending or performing select plays. Within 'La société' the Marquis de Sade is referred to as either TM (for The Marquis) or the Marquis de Mazan, a more common term for him on documents of the time.

It is a group similar to the Thelemites (people who subscribe to the philosophy of Thelema) who base themselves on François Rabelais' Abbey of Thelema in Gargantua and Pantagruel.