Every time I appoint someone to a vacant position, I make a hundred unhappy and one ungrateful.
In every treaty, insert a clause which can easily be violated, so that the entire agreement can be broken in case the interests of the State make it expedient to do so.
Heaven deprives me of a wife who never caused me any other grief than that of her death. [Fr. , Le ciel me prive d'une epouse qui ne m'a jamais donne d'autre chagrin que celui de sa mort. ]
One king, one law, one faith.
It is legal because I wish it.
I could sooner reconcile all Europe than two women.
Every time I fill a vacant office, I make ten malcontents and one ingrate.
Only small minds want always to be right.
The Last Argument of Kings.
I see no point in reading.
Laws are the sovereigns of sovereigns.
First feelings are always the most natural.
Up to this moment I have been pleased to entrust the government of my affairs to the late Cardinal. It is now time that I govern them myself. You [secretaries and ministers of state] will assist me with your counsels when I ask for them. I request and order you to seal no orders except by my command,. . . I order you not to sign anything, not even a passport. . . without my command; to render account to me personally each day and to favor no one.