Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, Prince of Périgord (1754 -1838), was a French bishop, statesman and diplomat who dominated French and European political life for half a century.

He is considered the most capable diplomat in European history. Through his turbulent life, he did not hesitate to betray all those he served. Like the church, King Louis XVI who was beheaded, Napoleon, the Bourbon dynasty and Louis Philippe.

He was distinguished by great insight, shrewdness and breadth of thought. He could assess the historical course of events with great accuracy and meanders accordingly.

He was a “bribery-eater” and took care with excessive zeal to increase his fortune, without any moral restraint.

His reduced morale and the betrayal of all those he served, however, did not prevent him from giving his best to his country and keeping France among the strongest European powers, under particularly adverse and difficult conditions.

Talleyrand has been regarded as a traitor because of his support for successive regimes, some of which were mutually hostile. According to French philosopher Simone Weil, criticism of his loyalty is unfounded, as Talleyrand served not every regime as had been said, but in reality “France behind every regime”.

He died in 1838, having been reconciled to the Church.

Today, when speaking of the art of diplomacy, the phrase “he is a Talleyrand” is variously used to describe a statesman of great resourcefulness and craft, or a cynical and conscienceless self-serving politician.

Other quotes he has said are:

• Never speak ill of yourself, your friends will always say enough on that subject. 
• A woman will sometimes forgive the man who tries to seduce her, but never the man who misses an opportunity when offered.
• If you wish to be popular in society consent to be taught many things you already know. 
• The art of statesmanship is to foresee the inevitable and to expedite its occurrence.
• Politics is the systematic cultivation of hatred. 
• Without freedom of the press, there can be no representative government. 

and much more.