“The first of all empires is that which one has over one's desires.”

— Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, Politics Drawn from the Very Words of Holy Scripture, 1709

About Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet

1627 – 1704

French bishop and court preacher under Louis XIV.

“The greatest weakness of all weaknesses is to fear too much to appear weak.”

“The world itself makes you sick of the world.”

“Faith is an adherence of the heart to eternal truth.”

“Let whatever appears to be the best be to you an inviolable law.”

“Lord, what fools these mortals be!”

“All that glisters is not gold.”

“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”

“And one man in his time plays many parts.”

“Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.”