To know how to dissemble is the knowledge of kings. Cardinal Richelieu More Quotes by Cardinal Richelieu More Quotes From Cardinal Richelieu 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. Cardinal Richelieu men death hands Friendship is the medicine for all misfortune; but ingratitude dries up the fountain of all goodness. Cardinal Richelieu medicine goodness friendship Nothing is as dangerous for the state as those who would govern kingdoms with maxims found in books. Cardinal Richelieu reading kingdoms book Reason must be the universal rule and guide; all things must be done according to reason without allowing oneself to be swayed by emotion. Cardinal Richelieu emotion done reason Nothing so upholds the laws as the punishment of persons whose rank is as great as their crime. Cardinal Richelieu punishment crime law A single word has sometimes lost or won an empire. Cardinal Richelieu empires lost sometimes First, all means to conciliate; failing that, all means to crush. Cardinal Richelieu crush mean firsts Had Luther and Calvin been confined before they had begun to dogmatize, the states would have been spared many troubles. Cardinal Richelieu luther states trouble Never write a letter and never destroy one. Cardinal Richelieu letters writing Harshness towards individuals who flout the laws and commands of the state is for the public good; no greater crime against the public interest is possible than to show leniency to those who violate it. Cardinal Richelieu individual crime law Deception is the knowledge of kings. Cardinal Richelieu deception kings Give me six lines written by the most honorable person alive, and I shall find enough in them to condemn them to the gallows. Cardinal Richelieu lines alive giving One must believe neither the people of the palace, who ordinarily measure the power of the king by the shape of his crown, which, being round, has no end, nor those who, in the excesses of an indiscreet zeal, proclaim themselves openly as partisans of Rome. Cardinal Richelieu rome kings believe If God forbade drinking, would He have made wine so good? Cardinal Richelieu wine drinking made When people are too comfortable, it is not possible to restrain them within the bounds of their duty? They may be compared to mules who, being accustomed to burdens, are spoilt by rest rather than labour. Cardinal Richelieu mules may people Not the least of the qualities that go into the making of a great ruler is the ability of letting others serve him. Cardinal Richelieu rulers ability quality Bakers of bread rolls and pastry cooks will not buy grain before eleven o'clock in winter and noon in summer; bakers of large loaves will not buy grain before two o'clock. This will enable the people of the town to obtain their supply first. Bakers shall put a distinctive trademark on their loaves, and keep weights and scales in their shops, under penalty of having their licenses removed. Cardinal Richelieu summer winter food To mislead a rival, deception is permissable; one may use all means against his enemies. Cardinal Richelieu deception mean enemy 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. Cardinal Richelieu virtue may trying I have the consolation of leaving your kingdom in the highest degree of glory and of reputation. Cardinal Richelieu degrees leaving kingdoms
