Be polite; write diplomatically; even in a declaration of war one observes the rules of politeness.

Not even the King himself has the right to subordinate the interests of his country to his own feelings of love or hatred towards strangers; he is, however, responsible towards God and not to me if he does so, and therefore on this point I am silent.

I have always found the word 'Europe' on the lips of those who wanted something from others which they dared not demand in their own names!

Life has taught me to forgive much, but to seek forgiveness still more.

One can put some trust in the gratitude of a sovereign, and also in that of his family; under certain conditions, one can even rely upon it; but one can never expect anything from the gratitude of a nation.

You can do anything with children if you only play with them.

History is simply a piece of paper covered with print: the main thing is to make history, not to write it.