Charles Maurice de Talleyrand Quotes

The rich man despises those who flatter him too much, and hates those who do not flatter him at all.

The art of putting the right men in the right places is first in the science of government; but that of finding places for the discontented is the most difficult.

Merit, however inconsiderable, should be sought for and rewarded. Methods are the master of masters.

In a novel, the author gives the leading character intelligence and distinction. Fate goes to less trouble: mediocrities play a part in great events simply from happening to be there.

Beauty, devoid of grace, is a mere hook without the bait.

There are many people who have the gift, or failing, of never understanding themselves. I have been unlucky enough, or perhaps fortunate enough to have received the opposite gift.

A clever woman often compromises her husband; a stupid woman only compromises herself.

If we go on explaining we shall cease to understand one another.

Women sometimes forgive a man who forces the opportunity, but never a man who misses ones.

I found there a country with thirty-two religions and only one sauce.

Only a man who has loved a woman of genius can appreciate what happiness there is in loving a fool.

It is not an event; it is a piece of news.

In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily.

A court is an assembly of noble and distinguished beggars.

What I have been taught, I have forgotten; what I know, I have guessed.

Those who have not lived in the eighteenth century, in the years before the Revolution do not know the sweetness of living and cannot imagine what it was like to have happiness in life.

Speech has been given to man to disguise his thoughts.

Those who did not live during the years close to 1789 do not know the pleasure of living.

Regimes may fall and fail, but I do not.

To succeed in the world, it is much more necessary to possess the penetration to discern who is a fool, than to discover who is a clever man.

Black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel, sweet as love.

Without freedom of the press, there can be no representative government.

A married man with a family will do anything for money.

What clever man has ever needed to commit a crime? Crime is the last resort of political half-wits.

Methods are the masters of masters.

The art of statesmanship is to foresee the inevitable and to expedite its occurrence.

Since the masses are always eager to believe something, for their benefit nothing is so easy to arrange as facts.

Politics is the systematic cultivation of hatred.

Love is a reality which is born in the fairy region of romance.

Love of glory can only create a great hero; contempt of glory creates a great man.

War is much too serious a thing to be left to military men.

Espresso is to Italy, what champagne is to France.

Show me another pleasure like dinner which comes every day and lasts an hour.

She is such a good friend that she would throw all her acquaintances into the water for the pleasure of fishing them out again.

I know where there is more wisdom than is found in Napoleon, Voltaire, or all the ministers present and to come - in public opinion.

There is one person that is wiser than anybody, and that is everybody.

Wherever there's trouble, look for a priest.

Mistrust first impulses; they are nearly always good.

Nothing succeeds so well as success.

A woman will sometimes forgive the man who tries to seduce her, but never the man who misses an opportunity when offered.

Too much sensibility creates unhappiness and too much insensibility creates crime.

An important art of politicians is to find new names for institutions which under old names have become odious to the public.

Society is divided into two classes: the shearers and the shorn. We should always be with the former against the latter.

Suave molecules of Mocha stir up your blood, without causing excess heat; the organ of thought receives from it a feeling of sympathy; work becomes easier and you will sit down without distress to your principal repast which will restore your body and afford you a calm, delicious night.

Never speak ill of yourself, your friends will always say enough on that subject.

If you wish to be popular in society consent to be taught many things you already know.

The bold defiance of a woman is the certain sign of her shame, - when she has once ceased to blush, it is because she has too much to blush for.

The reputation of a man is like his shadow, gigantic when it precedes him, and pigmy in its proportions when it follows.