I read a quotation from a famous French mathematician a few years ago (in English translation), and I am trying to find it again.
I believe it was attributed to either Pierre-Simon Laplace or Joseph-Louis Lagrange. I don't remember the exact phrase, but the gist of it was something like, "the key to a long and happy life is to be on good terms with the government of wherever you live".
If anyone knows what I'm talking about, I'd really appreciate a source!