One of the most notorious political men who also pretended to be a man of God, was Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis, Duke of Richelieu and Fronsac (1585–1642), who is commonly referred to as Cardinal Richelieu. Richelieu was a French nobleman and statesman who then pretended to be religious. During the 17th century, controlling the Catholic Church and using God for the political cover was the name of the game. Richelieu was consecrated as a bishop in 1607 and then was appointed Foreign Secretary of the French government in 1616. Richelieu rose through the political ranks in both the Catholic Church and the French government. By becoming a cardinal in 1622, he then became King Louis XIII’s chief minister in 1624! He remained in office until his death in 1642.
He is famous for political corruption and using the Rule of Law to create political prosecutions. He was a ruthless and cruel man who consolidated the power in France into a federalized government. He is well known for saying:
“Harshness towards individuals who flout the laws and commands of state is for the public good; no greater crime against the public interest is possible than to show leniency to those who violate it.”
(Source: Champlain’s Dream (2008) by David Hackett Fischer).
Nevertheless, Richelieu has set the standard in political prosecutions as we are witnessing by the latest corruption orchestrated by Muller and his witch hunt to anyone guilty of anything even if it had nothing to do with Russia interfering with the US elections. Richelieu also said this line which should be the real motto of the US Department of Justice:
“If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest of men, I will find something in them which will hang him.”
(Source: The Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations (1896) by Jehiel K̀eeler Hoyt, p. 763 : some dispute this quote)
