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

The Last Argument of Kings.

It is legal because I wish it.

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.

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.

I could sooner reconcile all Europe than two women.

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