Not a saint, but a sinner, and a monstrous one at that, but a sinner who remains fascinating to men, principally because his particular sin is one shared by many men. Like the men who used and abused Marilyn Monroe, yesterday's martyr-saint, Donatien-Alphonse-Francois, Comte de Sade, became famous, and infamous, for his extreme physical (and emotional) cruelty toward women. The Marquis de Sade (as he is usually called) was born in Paris on June 2, 1740, and he fought in the French army during the Seven Years War. He was a prolific writer of novels, plays, philosophical treatises, and erotic works, but, in 1772, he was tried and sentenced to death for a series of sexual crimes. He escaped to Italy, but on his return to Paris in 1777 he was arrested and imprisoned at Vincennes. After six years at Vincennes he was removed to the Bastille and in 1789 to the Charenton lunatic asylum. He was released from the asylum in 1790 but arrested again in 1801. He was moved from prison to prison and in 1803 again incarcerated at Charenton, where he died on Dec. 2, 1814. In many of his writings, which include "The Story of Juliette," in six volumes, and "The Bedroom Philosophers," de Sade described in detail various sexual activities that he himself practiced. From his very name, we get the term sadism, used by psychiatrists to denote that form of neurosis that brings sexual satisfaction by giving pain to others. In his philosophy, de Sade regarded both criminal and sexually deviant acts as natural (and, therefore, permitted). His works were officially labeled obscene, and their publication was banned well into the 20th century. And would still be banned (for they do not assist men toward doing, or being, good, but toward evil), except that we live in a society that has taken an almost satanic delight in celebrating the obscene.

MODEL: In reverse, try being nice to your woman today. Give her a chaste kiss on the cheek, hand her a rose, take her out to dinner, and thank her for putting up with the likes of you. (If you're a woman, suggest your man be especially nice to you.)

Crisis manager. If you were born on June 2, problems surround you, but you seem to thrive in this environment. In fact, when no problems exist, you may seek them out or create them. You may even choose a profession that allows you to help others with their problems and vicariously work out your own conflicts. Ruled by the number 2 and the moon, you have a great desire to please but may shelve your own needs in the process.

Misery loves company. When it comes to love, you could never tie the knot with a happy, uncomplicated person. You enjoy the problems and endless challenges of a dysfunctional mate, but you may become frustrated with your partner's inability to change or attend to your needs.

Variety is the spice. You are always looking for new projects, new people, new stimuli to satisfy your many needs. Failure doesn't stop you from coming back for more. It just makes you more determined, more able to weather the storm. Catastrophes just don't seem so bad in a life full of daily disasters. In fact, you are quite dependable in crisis situations, since you are used to handling chaos.

Commitment hound. Although freedom would allow more variety, you seem bent on committing to relationships that don't work out. Even though one of you or both are clearly unhappy, you forge on as if everything is hunky dory.

Here's some advice: You can't fix the world's problems. Think of your own needs and discover your unique traits and independent spirit. Do things alone. Accomplish things alone. It is OK to be happy and content.

Also born on this day: Gary Grimes (actor) Samuel Harwick (engineer) Pedro Guerrero (baseball hero) Thomas Hardy (British 19th c. novelist) Marquis de Sade (French writer, sexual sadist) Marvin Hamlish (songwriter, composer) Charlie Watts (drummer, Rolling Stones) Johnny Weissmuller (medal-winning swimmer, Tarzan) Edward Elgar (British Victorian composer) Milo O'Shea (Irish actor) Sally Kellerman (actress) Stacy Keach (actor)