Note 89 — III The ‘Clerks’—The Great Betrayal

In Richelieu’s Testament politique and the Mémoires de Louis XIV pour l’Instruction du Dauphin, the catalogue of good and ill might be signed by Saint Vincent de Paul. We read in them: ‘Kings should take care in making treaties, but once the treaties are made, they must observe them religiously. I know that many politicians teach the contrary; but, without taking into consideration all that the Christian Faith provides us with against these maxims, I maintain that since the loss of honour is greater than the loss of life itself, a great Prince should hazard his person and even the interest of his State rather than break his word, which he cannot violate without losing his reputation, and consequently the greatest strength of a Sovereign.’ (Testament Politique, part 2, ch. vi.)