Louis XIV Quotations

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

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

I could sooner reconcile all Europe than two women.

Has God forgotten all I have done for Him.

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

Every time I bestow a vacant office I make a hundred discontented persons and one ingrate.

Every time I create an appointment, I create a hundred malcontents and one ingrate.

When he traveled, the clockmakers, and many clocks, went with him.

I see no point in reading.

The final argument of kings

Laws are the sovereigns of sovereigns.

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

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

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.]

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

Has God forgotten everything I've done for him ?

Only small minds want always to be right.

It is legal because I wish it.

First feelings are always the most natural.

Impatience for victory guarantees defeat

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.

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.

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

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.