Agreement Quote by Louis XIV
“In every treaty, insert a clause which can easily be violated, so that the entire agreement can be broken in case the interests of the State make it expedient to do so.”
About This Quote
Source Treaty: Peace of Westphalia, 1648 (historical reference)
Embedding a loophole allows a state to exit agreements when convenient, undermining trust.
In simple terms: A breach clause makes treaties unstable.
Design agreements without easy exit routes.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- diplomatic negotiations
- policy drafting
- conflict resolution
- government strategy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Is flexibility worth the risk of betrayal?
- How can trust be maintained with built‑in loopholes?
Such clauses can erode long‑term cooperation.