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be Pierre de Rohan, Marshal of France; if you would be influential, be
Olivier le Daim, the barber; if you would, under Mary de Medicis, be
glorious, be Sillery, the Chancellor; if you would be a person of
consideration, be La Hannon, the maid; if you would, under Louis XV., be
illustrious, be Choiseul, the minister; if you would be formidable, be
Lebel, the valet. Given, Louis XIV., Bontemps, who makes his bed, is
more powerful than Louvois, who raises his armies, and Turenne, who
gains his victories. From Richelieu, take Père Joseph, and you have
Richelieu nearly empty. There is the mystery the less. His Eminence in
scarlet is magnificent; his Eminence in gray is terrible. What power in
being a worm! All the Narvaez amalgamated with all the O'Donnells do
less work than one Sõr Patrocinio.
Of course the condition of this power is littleness. If you would remain
powerful, remain petty. Be Nothingness. The serpent in repose, twisted
into a circle, is a figure at the same time of the infinite and of
naught.
One of these viper-like fortunes had fallen to Barkilphedro.
He had crawled where he wanted.
Flat beasts can get in everywhere. Louis XIV. had bugs in his bed and
Jesuits in his policy.
The incompatibility is nil.
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