Charles Maurice de Talleyrand

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

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

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.

Ones reputation is like a shadow, it is gigantic when it precedes you, and a pigmy in proportion when it follows.

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

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

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

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.

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