15 quotes
It is not an event, it is a piece of news.
On hearing of Napoleon's death; reported in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations (1922)
I know where there is more wisdom than is found in Napoleon, Voltaire, or all the ministers present and to come – in public opinion.
In the Chamber of Peers (1821)
You do not play then at whist, sir! Alas, what a sad old age you are preparing for yourself!
Hoyt's New Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations (1922)
It is the beginning of the end.
Ascribed to Talleyrand in The Hundred Days (1815)
Whoever did not live in the years neighboring 1789 does not know what the pleasure of living means.
It is worse than a crime, it is a mistake.
Misattributed
Accessibility on the part of rulers ends by inspiring love rather than respect, and love evaporates at first sign of trouble.
Attributed
They have learned nothing, and forgotten nothing (and variations).
Misattributed
There is no sentiment less aristocratic than that of nonbelief.
Attributed
Financiers flourish only when nations decline.
Attributed
Black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel, sweet as love (of coffee).
Misattributed
To succeed in the world, it is much more necessary to possess the penetration to discern who is a fool than to discover who is a clever man.
Attributed
To betray at the right time means to foresee.
Attributed
A diplomat who says "yes" means "maybe", a diplomat who says "maybe" means "no", and a diplomat who says "no" is no diplomat.
Attributed
The tricolour flag, symbol of revolution, was raised on the cathedral's towers and the bells rang to the frantic acclamation of the crowd. "Listen to the tocsin! We are triumphing" remarked the Prince de Talleyrand gleefully: "Who are we?" he was asked: "Quiet! Not a word. I will tell you tomorrow" was the reply.
Attributed