Sire, your great fault, if I may speak, is that you haven't continued to be dishonest.

You should have filled your private coffers, but you have not done so, which is a strange precedent to establish.

You should have increased taxation, but you have diminished it; you should have forced your enemy's hand four years ago, when you ascended the throne, but you did not; and now, for all you know, his hand may be too strong.

Poor, dishonest king! When you accepted this throne, which belongs to another, you fell as far as possible from moral ethics.
And now you would be honest and be called dull, and dream, while your ministers profit and smile behind your back.

I beg your Majesty's pardon, but you have always requested that I should speak plainly." The king laughed; he enjoyed this frank friend.