The objective is to pluck the geese in such a manner as to obtain the greatest number of feathers with the least amount of hissing.

- Jean-Baptiste Colbert

The art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to obtain the largest amount of feathers with the least possible amount of hissing.

- Jean-Baptiste Colbert

When a king creates an office, Providence creates immediately a fool to buy it.

- Jean-Baptiste Colbert