Quotes from book
Mémoires


Philippe de Commines photo

“Kings and princes have much more power when they undertake some enterprise on the advice of their subjects. They are then more feared by their enemies.”

Les roys et princes en sont trop plus forts, quand ils l'entreprennent du consentement de leurs subjets, et en sont plus craints de leurs ennemis.
Bk. V, ch. 19.
Mémoires

Philippe de Commines photo

“Nor should anything said after dinner be taken for counsel.”

Car on ne doit point tenir pour conseil ce qui se fait après disner.
Bk. II, ch. 2.
Mémoires

Philippe de Commines photo

“Two princes who wish to remain on friendly terms should never see each other but send good and wise men to one another, and these should maintain their friendship and amend any faults.”

Deux grands princes qui se voudroient bien entr'aymer, ne se devroient jamais voir, mais envoyer bonnes gens et sages les uns vers les autres, et ceux là les entretiendroient ou amenderoient les fautes.
Bk. I, ch. 14.
Mémoires

Philippe de Commines photo

“Now in my opinion, out of all the countries I have personally known, England is the one where public affairs are best conducted and regulated with least violence to the people. There no buildings are knocked down or demolished through war, and disaster and misfortune befall those who make war.”

Or, selon mon advis, entre toutes les seigneuries du monde, dont j'ay connoissance, où la chose publique est mieux traictée, et où règne moins de violence sur le peuple, et où il n'y a nuls édifices abatus, ni démolis pour guerre, c'est Angleterre; et tombe le sort et le malheur sur ceux qui font la guerre.
Bk. V, ch. 19.
Mémoires

Philippe de Commines photo

“He who has the profits of war has the honour.”

Qui a le profit de la guerre, il en a l'honneur.
Bk. IV, ch. 4.
Mémoires

Philippe de Commines photo

“The two dukes were wise after the event (as the Bretons say).”

Ces deux ducs dessusdits estoient sages après le coup (comme l'on dit des Bretons).
Bk. I, ch. 16.
Mémoires

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