[Ads-l] Quip Origin: If You See a Swiss banker Jumping Out of a Window, Follow Him: There's Bound To Be Money in It (Attributed to Voltaire)

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

The important 2021 reference work "The Quotable Voltaire" edited by
Garry Apgar and Edward M. Langille included an entry about the quip in
the subject line with citations beginning in 1914. Also, researcher
Barry Popik has a webpage on this topic with citations beginning in
1974.

Here is a link to the Quote Investigator article which was created by request:

https://quoteinvestigator.com/2024/12/29/banker-jump/

The remark is difficult to trace because it has many forms. The
earliest match I found appeared in "The Gentleman’s Magazine" of
London in 1783. The quotation appeared in French with an ascription to
Cardinal Richelieu (Armand Jean du Plessis, 1st Duke of Richelieu):

[ref]1783 June, The Gentleman’s Magazine, Volume 53, On Foreign
Travel, Quote Page 500, Column 1, Printed by J. Nichols for D. Henry,
London. (Google Books Full View) link [/ref]

https://books.google.com/books?id=Vqc2AQAAMAAJ&q=Genevois+#v=snippet&

[Begin excerpt]
. . . he was amazed at their knowledge, yet he could not help thinking
the saying of Cardinal Richelieu extremely applicable, "Si vous voyez
un Genevois se jetter par la fenêtre, jettez vous y après; car soyez
assuré qu’il y aura douze pour cent à gagner."
[End excerpt]

[Begin translation]
"If you see a Genevan throw himself out of the window, throw yourself
out afterwards; be assured that there will be twelve percent to be
gained."
[End translation]

Cardinal Richelieu died in 1642; hence, the evidence provided by the
attribution above is very weak. Voltaire died in 1778, and he received
credit by 1807. This evidence is also weak.

The Duke of Choiseul (Étienne François de Choiseul) died in 1785. He
received credit by 1790. I believe he is a plausible candidate for
creator, but he was not named in the earliest citation, and the
posthumous evidence is weak. Thus, based on current data I would
assign an anonymous ascription to this joke.

Additional illuminating citations and feedback would be welcome.
Garson O'Toole
QuoteInvestigator.com

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