Top 15 Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord Quotes

To betray at the right time means to foresee.

A diplomat who says "yes" means "maybe", a diplomat who says "maybe" means "no", and a diplomat who says "no" is no diplomat.

Accessibility on the part of rulers ends by inspiring love rather than respect, and love evaporates at first sign of trouble.

Financiers flourish only when nations decline.

There is no sentiment less aristocratic than that of nonbelief.

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.

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.

Whoever did not live in the years neighboring 1789 does not know what the pleasure of living means.

Qui n'a pas vécu dans les années voisines de 1789 ne sait pas ce que c'est le plaisir de vivre.

It is the beginning of the end.

C'est le commencement de la fin.

You do not play then at whist, sir! Alas, what a sad old age you are preparing for yourself!

Vous ne jouez donc pas le whist, monsieur? Hélas! quelle triste vieilesse vous vous préparez!

I know where there is more wisdom than is found in Napoleon, Voltaire, or all the ministers present and to come – in public opinion.

Je connais quelqu'un qui a plus d'esprit que Napoléon, que Voltaire, que tous les ministres présents et futurs: c'est l'opinion.