Marie Antoinette

There is nothing new except what has been forgotten.

Remark at the revolutionary tribunal, 14 October 1793. I was a queen, and you took away my crown; a wife, and you killed my husband; a mother, and you deprived me of my children. My blood alone remains: take it, but do not make me suffer long.

Reply to inquisitors, October 1789. I have seen all, I have heard all, I have forgotten all.

Qu'ils mangent de la brioche. Let them eat cake. On being told that her people had no bread. Attributed to Marie-Antoinette, but remark is much older. Rousseau refers in his Confessions, 1740, to a similar remark, as a well-known saying. Others attribute the remark to the wife of Louis XIV.

Executed by guillotine. Farewell, my children, forever. I go to your Father.

Spoken to the executioner at the guillotine, after she stepped on his foot. Monsieur, I beg your pardon.

Remark on way to guillotine, 16 October 1793. Courage! I have shown it for years; think you I shall lose it at the moment when my sufferings are to end?

If the people have no bread, let them eat cake.