Ah, if I were not king, I should lose my temper.

He who knows not how to dissimulate, can not reign. [Fr., Qui ne sait dissimuler, ne sait regner.]

I am the State. [Fr., L'etat c'est moi.]

The king reigns but does not govern. [Fr., Le roi regne, il ne gouverne pas.]

As for restitutions, to nobody in particular do I owe any, but as for those I owe to the realm, I hope in the mercy of God.

You have only to see what became of my father's will immediately after his death, and the wills of so many other kings. I know it well; but nevertheless, they have wished it; they gave me no rest nor repose, no calm until it was done.