Portrait of Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette

French queen, executed

Early Modern influential 91 sayings

Sayings by Marie Antoinette

The powers must recognize that this is a question of vital interest not only for all sovereigns, but for all orders, states, and classes of citizens in all countries and in republics as well as monarchies.

1791 — Letter to her brother Leopold II, describing the Revolution and seeking help
Political Unverifiable

There will be massacres in the name of revenge. There will be massacres to gain twenty-four hours in order to have time to escape. Everyone is armed. Things will be in a deplorable state, and crime and murder will enter into people's houses and no citizen will be assured of surviving from one day to the next.

1791 — Letter to her brother Leopold II, describing her fears about the Revolution
General Unverifiable

The King has done everything to avoid civil war, and he is still very much convinced that civil war cannot correct anything, and that it shall, in the end, destroy everything.

1791 — Letter to her brother Leopold II, discussing the King's view on civil war
War & Violence Unverifiable

Let them eat cake.

1789 — Alleged response upon being told that the peasants had no bread (Note: The authenticity of this quot…
Wisdom Unverifiable

I am afraid of nothing but boredom.

c. 1770s — Attributed to her, reflecting her early court life.
General Unverifiable

It is a great misfortune to be a queen.

1777 — Letter to her mother, Empress Maria Theresa.
General Unverifiable

I am just a poor little lamb and I do not want to be a queen.

1770 — Reported saying upon her arrival in France.
General Unverifiable

One must not be too sensitive in this world.

c. 1770s — Reported saying, reflecting her attempts to cope with court life.
General Unverifiable

My heart is not made for dissimulation.

c. 1770s — Letter to her mother.
General Unverifiable

I have been unfortunate, but I have never been wicked.

1793 — During her trial before the Revolutionary Tribunal.
General Unverifiable

I hope that my death will be the last one.

1793 — Said to the executioner just before her execution.
General Unverifiable

Forgive me, sir, I did not do it on purpose.

1793 — Her last words, after stepping on the executioner's foot.
General Unverifiable

It is astonishing how little notice I take of the clamor of the mob.

c. 1780s — Reported saying, reflecting her detachment from public opinion.
General Unverifiable

I know that my sister-in-law is the cleverest and most intriguing woman in France.

c. 1780s — Referring to Madame Elisabeth, a complex relationship.
General Unverifiable

I never thought the day would come when I would envy the fate of a private individual.

1792-1793 — Reported saying during her imprisonment.
General Unverifiable

My only consolation is that I have never done harm to anyone.

1793 — Letter to her sister-in-law, Madame Elisabeth.
General Unverifiable

I am calm, as one is when one has nothing to reproach oneself with.

1793 — Reported saying during her final days.
General Unverifiable

The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it.

c. 1780s — Reported saying, a common sentiment of the era.
General Unverifiable

I have no longer any strength, nor any hope.

1793 — Letter during her imprisonment.
General Unverifiable

My dearest sister, farewell! Think sometimes of your poor sister.

1793 — From her final letter to Madame Elisabeth.
General Unverifiable
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