“Well! what does M. Fouquet say to us every day? ‘When shall we be governed?’ Does he say so? Come, Conrart, be frank.”
“He says so, that is true.”
“Well, that is a doctrine of Epicurus.”
“Yes; but that is a little seditious, observe.”
“What! seditious to wish to be governed by good heads or leaders?”
“Certainly, when those who govern are bad.”
“Patience, I have a reply for all.”
“Even for what I have just said to you?”
“Listen! would you submit to those who govern ill? Oh! it is written: Cacos politeuousi. You grant me the text?”
“Pardieu! I think so. Do you know, you speak Greek as well as AEsop did, my dear La Fontaine.”