423. Catherine de Medici On Advisors

"The magistrates and office holders are difficult and loquacious. They spoil everything and try to control everything with their arguments, verbosity and knowledge. This makes them so overbearing and presumptious that they expect their opinions alone to be considered. It is far better, therefore, to have military men as advisors who say what they mean and are brief and to the point. They have nothing but common sense and are not lettered or opinionated. They are more easily manipulated and more naturally loyal and their intentions are easier to read." - Catherine de Medici