Alone in the council he maintained that "France had gone too far to recede without sacrifice of reputation."-- "The King's word is engaged both within and without," he said.

"Not to follow it with deeds would be dangerous to the kingdom.

The Spaniard will think France afraid of war.

We must strike a sudden blow, either to drive the enemy away or to crush him at once.
There is no time for delay.

The Netherlands must prevent the aggrandizement of Austria or consent to their own ruin." Thus stood the game therefore.