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

Has God forgotten everything I’ve done for him ?

The Last Argument of Kings.

Impatience for victory guarantees defeat.

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.

One king, one law, one faith.

I see no point in reading.

I could sooner reconcile all Europe than two women.

I am the State.

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

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

Only small minds want always to be right.

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.

Laws are the sovereigns of sovereigns.

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

It is legal because I wish it.

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