The cardinal used to say, the English will forgive a king anything, until he tries to tax them. — Hilary Mantel

A lie is no less a lie because it is a thousand years old.

When have I, when have I ever forced anyone to do anything, he starts to say: but Richard cuts in, “No, you don’t, I agree, it’s just that you are practiced at persuading, and sometimes it’s quite difficult, sir to distinguish being persuaded by you from being knocked down in street and stamped on.”

The king laughs. “Why would I trust a man with my business, if he could not manage his own?”