Louis XIV Quotes

Only small minds want always to be right.

It is legal because I wish it.

One king, one law, one faith.

I am the State. [Fr., L'etat c'est moi.]

Impatience for victory guarantees defeat

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.

There is little that can withstand a man who can conquer himself.

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.

Has God forgotten everything I've done for him ?

First feelings are always the most natural.

The years go by one after the other; time slips past us with out our being aware of it; we grow old like ordinary men and we shall end like them.

Every time I appoint someone to a vacant position, I make a hundred unhappy and one ungrateful.

Why are you weeping ? Did you imagine that I was immortal ?

I could sooner reconcile all Europe than two women.

Ah, if I were not king, I should lose my temper.

Heaven deprives me of a wife who never caused me any other grief than that of her death.

I see no point in reading.

Laws are the sovereigns of sovereigns.

Why do you weep? Did you think I was immortal?

The Last Argument of Kings.

Every time I fill a vacant office, I make ten malcontents and one ingrate.