Had Luther and Calvin been confined before they had begun to dogmatize, the states would have been spared many troubles.

Secrecy is the first essential in affairs of state.

I have the consolation of leaving your kingdom in the highest degree of glory and of reputation.

Wise judges are we of each other!

To mislead a rival, deception is permissable; one may use all means against his enemies.

A virtuous and well-disposed person, like a good metal, the more he is fired, the more he is fined; the more he is opposed, the more he is approved: wrongs may well try him, and touch him, but cannot imprint in him any false stamp.

If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest of men, I will find something in them which will hang him.