"One may lose a battle, but one must never lose the advantage of a moment."

"Friends must always be treated as if one day they might be enemies."

"Power is my mistress. I have worked too hard to conquer her, and I will not allow anyone to take her from me."

"How happy I would be if I could assist you at your undressing, the little firm white breast, the adorable face, the hair tied up in a scarf a la creole."

"To understand the man, you have to know what was happening in the world when he was twenty."