THE POLITICIAN’S BREVIARY

The French Legacy Press, Santa Fe, New Mexico
ISBN 9781736670002

It is indeed important to know everything, to hear everything, to have spies everywhere, … do it prudently, because people become offended when they know they are being spied on. Spy on them without them knowing. (Breviary, p. 49).
It’s no secret that the government keeps too many secrets. (Often quoted).
Spies are more prolific than ever. (FBI website).

“The very word ‘secrecy’ is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths, and to secret proceedings.” (President Kennedy, Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York City, April 27, 1961).


As long as the few wield power and influence over the many, the Politician’s Breviary will benefit those concerned by dissimulation, deception, subterfuge, maleficence, greed, and corruption.

This first translation into English of the seventeenth-century Breviarium politicorum draws inspiration from the legacy of Cardinal Jules Mazarin, King Louis XIV’s mentor and prime minister. The original 1684 Latin edition was attributed only to an anonymous author, and subsequent editions over the following decades captivated readers as had Machiavelli’s The Prince a hundred and fifty years earlier. Yet, the Breviary’s principles and maxims that unveil how to achieve and retain power are even more relevant to guide today’s leaders and politicians.

Read the Introduction

Read the MAXIMS

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INTRODUCTION
THE POLITICIANS’ BREVIARY
TO THE READER
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

PART ONE
KNOW THYSELF
KNOW OTHERS

PART TWO
BEHAVING IN SOCIETY
Securing the good grace of others
Getting to know each other’s friends
Obtaining esteem and fame
Managing time dedicated to business
Acquiring solemnity
Reading, writing
Giving, presenting gifts
Soliciting
Giving advice
Not being taken by surprise
Staying in good health
Avoiding animosity
Extracting secrets
Knowing the intentions hidden behind spoken words
Avoiding offending
Calling someone to action
Acquiring wisdom
Acting cautiously
Driving away an unwelcome host
Making conversation
Exchanging pleasantries
Avoiding traps
Getting money and keeping it
Receiving or giving honors
Answering solicitations
Simulating feelings
Giving feasts
Preventing damages
Innovating
Hedging your bets
Hiding one’s mistakes
Inciting hate against evil people
Ending a friendship
Praising others
Preventing someone from refusing a position
Controlling one’s anger
Escaping
Correcting and punishing
Ending a sedition
Listening and praising appropriately
Keeping your serenity
Disdaining verbal attacks
Acquiring skill in action
Diverting suspicions
Getting rid of adversaries
Traveling
Not chasing vanities
Criticizing, correcting
Simulating feelings
Lending
Finding the truth
Accusing
Being accused
Going to other lands
Reading scholarly books

Maxims

Summary

  1. Simulate
  2. Dissimulate
  3. Do not trust anyone
  4. Speak well of everyone
  5. Think before you act

Selected Sources