The bold defiance of a woman is the certain sign of her shame, - when she has once ceased to blush, it is because she has too much to blush for. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand More Quotes by Charles Maurice de Talleyrand More Quotes From Charles Maurice de Talleyrand 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. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand politicalclevermen There are many people who have the gift, or failing, of never understanding themselves. I have been unlucky enough, or perhaps fortunate enough to have received the opposite gift. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand failureoppositespeople The rich man despises those who flatter him too much, and hates those who do not flatter him at all. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand too-muchhatemen Politics is the systematic cultivation of hatred. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand cultivationsystematichatred Beauty, devoid of grace, is a mere hook without the bait. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand baithookgrace She is such a good friend that she would throw all her acquaintances into the water for the pleasure of fishing them out again. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand good-friendsarcasticfishing War is much too serious a thing to be left to military men. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand militarywarpeace Merit, however inconsiderable, should be sought for and rewarded. Methods are the master of masters. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand methodmeritshould Suave molecules of Mocha stir up your blood, without causing excess heat; the organ of thought receives from it a feeling of sympathy; work becomes easier and you will sit down without distress to your principal repast which will restore your body and afford you a calm, delicious night. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand coffeenightblood There is one person that is wiser than anybody, and that is everybody. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand wiserpersons What I have been taught, I have forgotten; what I know, I have guessed. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand taughtforgottenknows The reputation of a man is like his shadow, gigantic when it precedes him, and pigmy in its proportions when it follows. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand reputationshadowmen A married man with a family will do anything for money. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand marriedfamilymen Too much sensibility creates unhappiness and too much insensibility creates crime. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand unhappinesscrimetoo-much Nothing succeeds so well as success. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand wellssucceedsuccess In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand flirtingsarcasticorder Methods are the masters of masters. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand methodmasters In a novel, the author gives the leading character intelligence and distinction. Fate goes to less trouble: mediocrities play a part in great events simply from happening to be there. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand fatewritingcharacter Mistrust first impulses; they are nearly always good. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand politicspoliticalfirsts A court is an assembly of noble and distinguished beggars. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand noblepoliticalears