In a battle, as in a siege, the art consists in concentrating very heavy fire on a particular point. The line of battle once established, the one who has the ability to concentrate an unlooked for mass of artillery suddenly and unexpectedly on one of these points is sure to carry the day.

I hope before long to press you in my arms and shall shower on you a million burning kisses as under the Equator.

Alexander, Charlemagne and myself all tried to found an empire on force and we failed. Jesus Christ is building an empire on love, and today there are millions of people who would gladly die for His sake.

A form of government that is not the result of a long sequence of shared experiences, efforts, and endeavors can never take root.

I don't employ Talleyrand when I want a thing done, but only when I want to have the appearance of wanting to do it.

The fool has one great advantage over a man of sense; he is always satisfied with himself.

Called to the throne by the voice of the people, my maxim has always been: A career open to talent without distinction of birth. It is this system of equality for which the European oligarchy detests me