You can keep down a feudal aristocracy by levelling a few heads, but you can't subdue a hydra with thousands.

And is it with the present ministers--between ourselves, a wretched crew--that you expect to carry out your reform?
No, no; change the monetary system if you will, but do not meddle with men, with little men; they cry out too much, whereas gold is dumb." "But, Celestine, if you will talk, and put wit before argument, we shall never understand each other." "Understand! I understand what that paper, in which you have analyzed the capacities of the men in office, will lead to," she replied, paying no attention to what her husband said.

"Good heavens! you have sharpened the axe to cut off your own head.

Holy Virgin! why didn't you consult me?
I could have at least prevented you from committing anything to writing, or, at any rate, if you insisted on putting it to paper, I would have written it down myself, and it should never have left this house.

Good God! to think that he never told me! That's what men are! capable of sleeping with the wife of their bosom for seven years, and keeping a secret from her! Hiding their thoughts from a poor woman for seven years!--doubting her devotion!" "But," cried Rabourdin, provoked, "for eleven years and more I have been unable to discuss anything with you because you insist on cutting me short and substituting your ideas for mine.